Strength through Silence and Solitude

-Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”

-Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

-Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

-Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

1. Silence and Solitude Refine our Hearts.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

2. Silence and Solitude Build our Faith.

Psalm 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3. Silence and Solitude Encourage Others.

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Ecclesiastes 3:7b a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

Acts 20:2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.