Shut Up and Know
The sermon 'Shut Up and Know' emphasizes the importance of silence and stillness in listening to God's voice and finding peace in the midst of chaos.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of being still before God amidst chaos and destruction, drawing inspiration from Thomas Carlyle and Psalm 46. She highlights the power of quieting our souls before the Lord, allowing His voice to bring peace in the midst of turmoil. Elliot encourages listeners to listen for God's voice, the only one that speaks peace to the deepest part of our beings.
Text
"Do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day, and on the morrow how much clearer are thy purpose and duties," wrote Thomas Carlyle. The psalmist wrote (in Psalm 46) of great cataclysms, noise, war, destruction. What is the man of God supposed to do in the middle of all that? One thing above all else: "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10 AV). Simply shut up for a change. It is amazing what the quiet holding of the soul before the Lord will do to the external and seemingly uncontrollable tumult around us. It is in that stillness that the Voice will be heard, the only voice in all the universe that speaks peace to the deepest part of us.
No other voice than Thine has ever spoken,
O Lord, to me--
No other words but Thine the stillness broken
Of life's lone sea.
There openeth the spirit's silent chamber
No other hand--
No other lips can speak the language tender,
Speech of the Fatherland.
(T.S.M., from Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others, Frances Bevan)
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Silence
- The Benefits of Silence
- The Voice of God in Silence
- The only voice that speaks peace
- The language of the Fatherland
Key Quotes
“Do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day, and on the morrow how much clearer are thy purpose and duties.” — Elisabeth Elliot
“Be still and know that I am God” — Elisabeth Elliot
“No other voice than Thine has ever spoken, O Lord, to me-- No other words but Thine the stillness broken Of life's lone sea.” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- Take time each day to be still and quiet before God, and listen for His voice and guidance.
- Trust in God's presence and power, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
- Distinguish the voice of God from other voices in your life by looking for the voice that speaks peace and truth.