Proverbs 17:1 (KJV)
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of
sacrifices with strife.
This particular verse has always intrigued me because it makes reference to quietness in an impressive fashion to get a particular point across. What is the point? That experience should not override atmosphere. Though it’s really not necessary, if I were going to use this verse as a basis to create an example in order to stress it’s meaning, I would say something like, “It is better to eat a dry steak in a quiet café than to eat a ritzy meal in a rowdy establishment.” Which would you prefer??
Today people put a lot of emphasis on “having a good time” with little to no concern for the environment that presides over their good time. There seems to be no ceiling on volume control – the sky is the limit! Everywhere you go noise is at a maximum level. At every stoplight you can listen to the music playing in the adjacent car without straining an ear or having to roll down your window. Eavesdropping is a thing of the past now that folks converse at full volume while eating in restaurants. You can’t help but hear everything they say! Even while shopping in the mall or Wal-Mart you can count the number of children present without ever having laid eyes on them. The reason being, infants and toddlers are allowed to “express themselves” in any fashion they please with no parental restraint whatsoever. Movies and computer games are produced at deafening volumes, intending to envelop the viewer and play up the visual episodes they encounter. And whether you realize it or not, churches are also filled with a lot more commotion since they have become worldlier in activity. Does all this noise really make life better than it used to be??
Eccles. 4:6 (KJV)
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail
and vexation of spirit.
Again, the Bible teaches that quality takes priority over quantity; manner should precede measure. Somehow there is this concept floating around that the noisier something is, the more fun we must be having. “If both my hands are full then things are great – anything to an extreme degree makes it the finest experience!” I have even noticed this philosophy on some of the home decorating shows I like to watch from time to time. The cast flaunts their fetish for fun by laughing incessantly and chatting loudly from start to finish of every project tackled. It’s amazing to me that they can think straight with all that hullabaloo going on! Some cooking show hosts even require a band playing in the background while they whip up something mouthwatering for the audience. I’m just glad my kitchen isn’t big enough for a band – I like cooking in the quiet!! Very little is accomplished these days with any degree of composure and I find it quite disturbing. I ask myself, “Is it me; am I getting to be an old stick in the mud?” And then the Holy Spirit brings the answer to mind and I am relieved to know I am on the right track, though I might be alone…
1 Cor. 14:40 (KJV)
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Thank you, Jesus! That verse brings a huge sigh of relief to my heart… I’m so thankful that God puts greater importance upon atmosphere and puts “having a good time” in the back seat! Better is an handful with quietness… Yes, the Lord opposes chaos; He induces sensitivity to tranquility and promotes our awareness of it. Is quietness a constant consideration of your own, dear lady? Do you give in to chaos or fight against it? Romans 8:6 tells us that to be spiritually minded is peace, therefore peace is the result of a spiritual mind… As a Christian, are you a contributor to noise pollution or a supporter of peace? How many things can you think of that God created to function at a maximum level of sound? The only thing I could think of was thunder, which usually accompanies a storm. Other than that, nothing really comes to mind that is overly noisy within nature on a daily basis. By the way, how would you like it if a bird landed on your feeder and sang as loud as one of the commercials on television?? It would be strange and annoying, wouldn’t it? What if every bird was super loud! I don’t think I’d want to open my windows at all!
1 Cor. 14:33a (KJV)
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…
What I’m trying to get you to understand is that God created this world with a balance to the sounds within it. Does that principle correspond with the tone of your home life? Think now about all the things that man has created – how quiet are they in nature? Cars, planes, radio; television, telephone, guns, etc. are just a few examples of human invention. Ladies, we’ve added a lot of noise to this world and we’re still doing it! Men and women and boys and girls have become extremely noisy creatures; yet when God created Adam and Eve He put them into a tranquil environment because that is better for our souls! There should be a ceiling of peace in all that we participate; it is not necessary to raise the roof with lots of noise!
1 Tim. 2:1-3 (KJV)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all
that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in
all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Saviour;
Paul hoped that the result of the church’s prayers would be that all men would lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. Have you ever thought to pray for a quiet and peaceable life, not only for yourself, but for others as well? Paul taught and thought that this should be a matter of top priority! Quiet refers to conditions around us and peaceable refers to conditions within us. The results are lives that are godly and sincere. How many Christians do you know who live lives of this kind? Indeed, the atmosphere of this world is definitely not advancing the development of a peaceable lifestyle for any of us! Hence, we better pray and work to that end…
1 Thes. 4:11a (KJV)
And that ye study to be quiet…
Once again scripture instructs us to conscientiously endeavor to lead
a quiet life. Have you made this your ambition, dear lady? Are you quiet
in your mind and quiet toward others? If not, do you want to be? Though
you may not label yourself a quiet person, that is no justification! God
says we must each study to be quiet; we must each eagerly strive to diminish
the noise outside and inside us and be earnest about developing an atmosphere
to our lives that pleases God…
1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of
God of great price.
A woman who operates with great composure is an asset to the Lord! The hidden man of the heart is our whole soul; it’s the seat of our affections and passions. And ladies, God wants this place void of chaos and cleared of all clamors! How close are you to being of great price in the sight of God? Incidentally, a meek and quiet spirit would not be content in a noisy situation – it is a spirit that would work promptly to restore balance and guard a peaceable life with holy concern! That’s why such a woman is valuable to the Lord – she patrols a range of situations as an officer of heaven’s “Peace Police”! When you make the rounds in your home, do you pull up to a noisy situation and reinstate things to a quieter level? The Bible says peace is a bond – if you want the relationships in your home firmly joined together then reduce the level of noise in your home! Ladies, we all have a beat to walk on a daily basis and peace and quiet is something God expects us to enforce! His work and His Word warrant a sacred environment… We must control the volume of every setting if the Lord would be heard! HIS voice must be the loudest, clearest voice, and none other.
James 3:18 (KJV)
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord:
Psalm 34:14 (KJV)
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Ephes. 4:3 (KJV)
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Col. 3:15 (KJV)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.
2 Cor. 13:11 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one
mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
I thought these verses were perfect examples of the vision that peacemakers have for the assorted places they patrol as ambassadors for Christ. When God rules our hearts then our concern for peace and quiet will line up with His! Hence, a true peacemaker will recommend that which God prefers – that we all live in peace.
Psalm 119:165a (KJV)
Great peace have they which love thy law…
Proverbs 3:1-2 (KJV)
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: [2]
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
You may not realize this, but your respect for the Word of God will affect your respect for peace. The more you love and esteem God’s Word, the more you will acquire a peaceful demeanor and hold a high regard for quietness. It is the atmosphere that permeates the pages of the law of the Lord. Those who have not added peace to their lives have not added enough of God’s Word to their lives nor kept it when they did! If there is no volume control, there is no scriptural control. Ladies, when we consistently set our sights on Christ, our lives will be different – they will be much quieter… Be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace!
2 Peter 3:13-14 (KJV)
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing
that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him
in peace, without spot, and blameless.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2004 Pamela A. Iannello
