Blog

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence ~ Hymn 347

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: May 19, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Habbakkuk 2:20

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!

In these recent days I have wondered what part of “Stay at home,” have persons not understood. Granted traffic on the highways has decreased remarkably, but all those on the roads are not “at home.”

I admit that I have restricted my outings. The last trip to the grocery store was Friday April 3. The last trip to the pharmacy was Wednesday April 8. This was unscheduled, but necessary as TECO was shutting off our power from 8 am to 3 pm. the next day. I have been to the bank once and to the post office drive though twice. I have gotten gas once. I have made several trips to the church when I could work after hours. I have spoken with one church member who has not been out of his house for two full weeks. I applaud him and I wish I could have stayed at home as he did. I have honestly tried to “stay at home.”

Most people have seemingly learned what social distancing means and many are practicing it. It is taking time to adjust to this way of daily living.

In today’s scripture, the Lord is in his temple and the earth and all who dwell therein should keep silence before him. “Keeping silence” is another discipline that poses problems for us. We can be quiet while listening to a radio or television, but that is not silence. We have not yet mastered what the Psalmist did, namely, to be still and know that God is God. Perhaps when we get a better handle of staying at home, then we can develop our listening skills too … being still and listening for God.

Prayer

Blessed Lord, give us a vision of you in your holy temple. Grant that we may be silent and filled with awe as we listen and observe. Mercifully grant that one day that vision becomes real life for us as we bow before you and bask in the glory of your presence. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.