Jerusalem was the “City of God.” He dwelt there in His Holy Temple. Those who dwelt with Him were secure and safe. These verses say, “ As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah!” (Stop and think!) Then the Psalmist goes on and says, “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.”

Living in the light of the presence of God has always been and always will be the safest place on earth – or the entire universe! The hermits of the middle ages understood the importance of cultivating an environment where they could more closely experience the presence of God. Their motto was: silence, solitude and inner peace. We, on the other hand, live in a world in which there is a conspiracy of noise all around us. It denies us the silence and solitude we need to cultivate our lives in God’s presence. He who walks with God quickly learns that God does not ordinarily shout to make Himself heard. As Elijah discovered, God often speaks to us in a still quiet whisper.

In sound studios, great care is taken to make the rooms soundproof so that no noise from the streets can mar the broadcasts or recordings that they are attempting to make. We too might learn to soundproof the heart against the intruding noises of the public world in order to hear what God has to say. I love the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grow in silence; see how the stars, the moon and sun, how they move in silence…”

When storms of life are round me beating, When rough the path that I have trod,
Within my closet doors retreating, I love to be alone with God.

Chuck
“We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:6-7)