Quietness

Isaiah 32:17 TPT The work of righteousness is peace, and the result of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever.

In our fast-paced, noisy world, silence is often overlooked, even feared. We fill our days with TV, music, podcasts, notifications, and conversations, leaving little room for stillness. Yet, silence is not simply the absence of noise; it is a profound presence—where the presence of God brings peace, confidence, and clarity—where our relationship with God comes alive. Quietness is not just a retreat from chaos but running into the presence of God.

1 Kings 19:11-13 tells us Elijah fled to the mountains after confronting the pagan priests of Baal on Mount Carmel. God told Elijah to come outside, for He was about to pass by. As Elijah stepped out, he was surrounded by complete chaos: wind so strong it tore the mountains apart, fires, and earthquakes. But the Lord was not in any of the chaos but in a quiet whisper, a still small voice. The quiet confidence of God is found when ears are tuned to His voice, despite any noise and mess around us.

Isaiah 32:17 is not just a promise but a blueprint for how we are to live a life filled with peace and quiet confidence. It begins with righteousness—not about adhering to rules, moral codes, or religious rituals but grounded in a relationship with God based solely on the sacrifice of Jesus. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness is being transformed by His grace, empowering our lives to align with the character, the Word, and will of God. Despite what culture and the world say, there is only one path to God’s righteousness, and that is through Jesus. “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

“Quietness and confidence” may sound like an oxymoron. The world portrays confidence as loud and brash—that chest-pounding athlete after scoring a goal or setting a new record. But the confidence Isaiah speaks of is just the opposite. It is the quiet assurance that your value, worth, strength, and purpose come from God rather than your own abilities. Instead of self-reliance or worldly validation, it shifts your focus to trusting in His character, promises, and direction for your life. It produces courage and a quiet authority to speak truth and love, standing firm in your identity as His child.

“Quietness and confidence” is not some noble intellectual concept that will never be fully realized. It requires surrendering our self-reliance, receiving the Holy Spirit, and casting all our cares on Jesus. Jesus said, “It is better that I go so the Holy Spirit comes.” Why? Because through fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we begin to see this peace and rest, the fruit of the Holy Spirit shining in our lives and into every dark situation or person we encounter. “The fruit of the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

1 Thessalonians 4:11 states, “Make it your ambition to live a quiet life.” The words used here reflect a life that is undisturbed, at rest, and tranquil. It is exactly what Paul was describing in his letter to the church at Philippi: “Be anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We must learn to be comfortable with quietness.

This quiet confidence comes only through righteousness and is found in one place—at the feet of Jesus. Run into His presence, cast aside your fears, and find your place of quietness today.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Isaiah 26:3 NLT You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 30:15 NLT This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.

1 Chronicles 4:40 NASB They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad and quiet and peaceful.

Zephaniah 3:17 TLV Adonai your God is in your midst— a mighty Savior! He will delight over you with joy. He will quiet you with His love. He will dance for joy over you with singing.

Psalms 119:165 NIV Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

James 3:17-18 NIV But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Job 20:5,20 NIV The wicked know no quietness or calm within themselves, any victory is short lived and joy is only for a moment.

Philippians 4:4-9 NASB Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Romans 14:17-19 NASB For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Psalm 85:5 NASB I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones.

1 John 4:17-19 NLT And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 3:18-19 NLT Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom.