My Soul, Be Silent

DAILY READING

Exodus 14:10-14

FIELD NOTES

In this passage of Exodus, the people of Israel are terrified and they cry out to the Lord in anguish. They ask God, why “you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (v. 11). They question God and lament the path to destruction that they feel that God has led them on. However, Moses encourages them: 

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (v. 13-14).

This passage and Hymn 793 by Witness Lee reminds us to quiet our souls and wait for God. The entire hymn is a beautiful reminder of the necessity of silence, but the first two stanzas are particularly instructive: 

My soul, be silent, wait upon the Lord!

First let Him speak to thee, then speak to Him;

True prayer in thee the Lord initiates,

Thou but a channel art expressing Him.

My soul, be silent, wait upon the Lord!

Learn to deny thy thought and all thy will.

Learn to let God anoint thee with Himself

And thru thy prayer His purposes fulfill.

Even when life seems impossible, practice doing what both Moses urges his people to do, “be silent” (v. 14) and be confident that God will be fighting for you.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• How can you practice being silent with the Lord? If this spiritual practice is new to you, practice sitting in silence with the Lord, quieting both your lips and your soul. 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Practice being silent. See if you can quiet your lips and not think about anything. When we are quiet, it is easier to hear God talking to us.

PRAYER GUIDE

In your prayer today, simply be silent and wait for God to speak.