Silence — The Importance of Quiet Time With God

J. A. Fisch
Mar 9
3 min read

Scripture:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

— Psalm 46:10

Additional Reading: 1 Kings 19:11–12, Mark 1:35, Psalm 139:23–24, Isaiah 30:15, Luke 10:41–42, Habakkuk 2:20

Intro:

We live in a world that never stops talking.

Phones buzz. Notifications appear. Music plays. Schedules fill every empty moment. Even when our surroundings are quiet, our minds are often racing.

But Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to something our culture rarely practices — stillness.

Silence is not wasted time.

Silence is sacred space where we become aware of God again.

Silence - The Bond With God

In a noisy world, silence has become uncomfortable. Many people avoid it because silence forces us to slow down, and slowing down forces us to confront what is really happening inside our hearts.

But throughout Scripture, God invites His people into stillness.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Stillness is not merely about quiet surroundings — it is about quieting the soul. When the noise fades, we are reminded that God is still in control.

God often speaks in the quiet places.

When the prophet Elijah looked for God, he expected dramatic power — wind, earthquake, and fire. Yet God chose to reveal Himself in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11–12). The lesson was clear: the voice of God is not always loud, but it is always present for those who are listening.

Even Jesus practiced silence.

Mark 1:35 tells us that “Very early in the morning… Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Before the crowds gathered, before the ministry began, Jesus stepped away to be alone with the Father. If the Son of God prioritized quiet time with God, then we should not expect to grow spiritually without it.

Silence also reveals the truth about our hearts.

When we stop filling every moment with activity or words, God begins to expose what lies beneath the surface — fears, distractions, pride, and wounds that need healing. This is why David prayed in Psalm 139, “Search me, God, and know my heart.”

In quietness, God refines us.

Isaiah 30:15 reminds us, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Strength is not always built through activity. Often it grows through patient trust while sitting in God’s presence.

Silence also protects us from spiritual distraction.

In Luke 10, Martha was overwhelmed by many responsibilities while Mary chose something better — she simply sat at the feet of Jesus. Jesus gently reminded Martha that “few things are needed—or indeed only one.”

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply be with Him.

Silence creates space where prayer becomes more than speaking. It becomes listening.

abakkuk 2:20 declares, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Silence is reverence. It is the soul acknowledging that God is present.

And when we slow down long enough to listen, we begin to experience something the world cannot give — the deep peace of being with God.

Heart Application

Practicing Quiet Time With God

• Set aside daily time where distractions are removed.

• Turn off phones, notifications, and outside noise.

• Read Scripture slowly rather than rushing through it.

• Sit quietly in prayer and allow moments of stillness.

• Ask God honestly to search your heart.

• Listen more than you speak.

• Let silence become a place of peace rather than discomfort.

Reflection Questions

When was the last time you intentionally spent quiet, uninterrupted time with God?

What distractions most often keep you from being still before Him?

How might your relationship with God change if silence became a daily discipline?

Closing Prayer

Lord,

In a world filled with noise, my heart is often distracted and restless. Teach me to slow down and be still before You. Help me create space where I can hear Your voice, know Your presence, and grow closer to You.

Search my heart, reveal what needs to change, and replace my distractions with a deeper hunger for You. Let quiet moments with You become a place of peace, strength, and trust.

Draw me near to You in the stillness.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.