Ezekiel 1:24-25

LISTENING TO GOD IN THE SILENCE

‘They let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament.’

Ezekiel 1:24

I. Even the rustle of the wings of the cherubim must be silent when God speaks to us.—To listen to Him the sounds of heaven as well as those of earth need to be hushed. We fail to hear His message because of our multifarious attention to other things. The movements of the ministering angels may be sweetest music, but infinitely more glorious is the speech of our Father, their King. To the enlightened soul the sound of their wings is everywhere round about. Science is watching the angels of nature directing the winds and painting the flowers. Worship is joining with angels in their eternal song of praise of the thrice holy One. Duty is following the angels who obey the Divine will. The noise of their flight is as that of a host. But there are times when we turn aside from all these and would be face to face with God and hear Him speak, whilst for us the angels stand and let down their wings, and we must do the same. The pinions of active movement, of thought, and of service must cease their flight as we wait calmly before the throne of our God.

II. There never was a time when it was more important to state this truth.—We live amidst a flutter of feathers. Rapid movements are on every side. We retire not except for rest from fatigue. Our recreation is a change of work, our holiday becomes a tour, our religion is service. All this calls for gratitude. The Church is alive and full of the sound of angels’ pinions. It is a grand day in which to live. Hence a strong reason for seeking at times that silence in which alone God’s voice can be heard. If in times past the great need has been zealous work, the other extreme may have been reached; and the call to-day is for more silent worship. For after all we only truly serve God as we know Him. We are told that the service of man is the service of God, but the converse is true, the service of God is the service of man. And if we would be with those spirits that do His commandments, we must be amongst those who hearken to His voice. Our Lord found His strength for His work by often going to be alone with His Father in prayer. Abraham in the solitude of the desert watched silently hour after hour till the glorious promise came making him the Father of the Faithful. David in still mountain fastnesses gained the power to lead the song worship of the world. Elijah went from the wilderness to Mount Carmel, in quiet retirement, having gained the force to call men to decision. John in Patmos heard that music which has directed the onward march of the Church of God ever since. The Lord Christ retired to the quiet garden of Gethsemane, ere He ascended Calvary to offer up His sacrifice for the eternal service of man.