Quietude of the Righteous
By Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Cape Town

Instances where quietude overcomes great odds.

Quietude: a state of stillness, calmness, and quiet in a person or place. (Oxford)

1. Quietude of Spirit in prayer
David spoke of quietude in his Psalm 23, although this was an internal quietude in spite of his wars:
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

2. When God instructed David that Solomon his son would built the temple:
1Ch_22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. (They had peace and prosperity for 40 years.)

3. Quietude is better than strife
Pro_17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Ecc_4:6 Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

4. The Prophets understood the source of quietude:
Isa_32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

5. Prophets explained the effects of quietude:
Isa_7:4 and say to him: 'Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted for these two stubs of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and the son of Remaliah.

6. Quietude of Spiritual Zion the Church is predicted.
Isa_32:18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
Isa_33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home, A tabernacle that will not be taken down; Not one of its stakes will ever be removed, Nor will any of its cords be broken.

7. Returning and rest develops quietude and confidence:
Isa 30:15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not,

Jer_30:10 'Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the LORD, 'Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid.

8. Quietude in the Face of your adversary
Psa 38:12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long.
Psa 38:13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
Psa 38:14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response.
Psa 38:15 For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.

9. Jesus’ quietude before his accusers:
Mat 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."
Mat 27:12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Mat 27:13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?"
Mat 27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

10. Jesus’ quietude at crucifixion:
Act 8:32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH.
Act 8:33 IN HIS HUMILIATION HIS JUSTICE WAS TAKEN AWAY, AND WHO WILL DECLARE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH."
Act 8:34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

11. Quietude of God’s remnant:
Zep 3:12 I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zep 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid."
Israel's Joy and Restoration
Zep 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Zep 3:15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.
Zep 3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.
Zep 3:17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Zep 3:18 "I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, Who are among you, To whom its reproach is a burden.
Zep 3:19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.
Zep 3:20 At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD.

12. Quietude in lifestyle is a good testimony.
1Th 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
1Th 4:12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

To conclude, having looked at the instances and effects of quietude through the Word of God, decide today to access the benefits of the quietude derived from right living before God, through faith in Jesus name.