When Noisy Negativity Takes Over
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” (Psalm 62:1-2, ESV)
Did you know that there is such a thing as “Sound Torture”? It's described as a type of psychological warfare using loud music or white noise to break the will of a prisoner. This form of torture has been used to weaken the psyche of prisoners and to confuse their thought processes, with the end goal of having them give in to their captors.
While we may never undergo this extreme sound torture, our lives seem in the middle of constant “noise”. We are bombarded by messages and opinions, urging us, (and even demanding!) to watch this, read that, believe this, do that. From TV to social media, podcasts, radio, and newspapers, we can take in a steady stream of opinions and advice, much of it negative, confusing and unreliable.
No wonder many of us struggle with fear and anxiety, depression, anger, and pessimism!
In who and what should we trust and listen to?
In Psalm 62, David gives us his one and only option.
“For God alone my soul waits in silence…”
Wow.
How often do I fill my time listening to the world’s opinions and views? Do I spend the same amount of time waiting in silence for God alone, pouring out my heart before Him?
But what does David mean by waiting in silence?
The Hebrew word used in this verse is dumiyyah (waits in silence). The definition - quiet waiting, repose- really caught my attention.
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1747.htm
Quiet waiting, repose, implies a peaceful trust, a tranquil rest, a stillness, that is so much more than silence.
Amazingly, David assumes this posture of repose despite the noisy and negative circumstances surrounding him. As we read further in Psalm 62, we learn David was under attack, particularly with lies and injustice (vs.3-4,9-10).
Yet, David urges the people to trust in God alone.
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)
How can we apply David’s encouragement to our own lives?
Maybe we ask the honest question: "Does my soul wait in silence for God alone?"
It requires discipline to turn away from the noise of the world and listen for the voice of God, and I fall very short in this area. But let’s not give up in drawing near to God in quiet, trustful, waiting, because the reward is great.
“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” (vs.6)
I love how David closes Psalm 62 emphatically stating what he has heard from God as he waits in silence: “that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love” (vs. 12). What good news that all power belongs to God, and He is Steadfast in Love toward us!
Dear Lord God, may these words of Truth permeate our hearts and minds in a noisy world. We praise You that the world is in Your hands, and that Your Love for us is steadfast! Amen.