The Year the Music Stopped
by Linda P. Prince
O the quiet. In this, day two of the isolation, the quiet seems eerily present and the space vast, lacking in density. It is as if one might float or at least fall over but it doesn’t happen. The only air we can trust is fresh air, alone. Yet, being outside seems — mostly quiet. Have you noticed the sound of the birds?
I am convinced beyond doubt of a spiritual side to the global quiet time. There are so many examples in scripture – I know not where to start.
Scripture is replete with God saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” He created all we are and know with words. Perhaps he simply whispered, “Be still,” and the world went quiet. I can think of nothing more power filled than hours alone, in quiet – pondering one’s mortality to perhaps hear God’s voice or seek his face or at the very least realize we are not in control.
The story of the tower of Babel comes to mind. I recently wrote about the modern day Babel. Spurred by the scene at Heathrow International Airport, I was reminded of the scripture that says, “In the last days many will run to and fro….” For now the “to and fro” has stopped. The first tower of Babel was halted by God’s voice. Perhaps he has given us a respite from the modern day global Babel, the one we created.
The people of ancient Israel also come to mind. They were instructed to rest and to let the land rest. When they didn’t, God merely added up the days and gave the land the rest it needed by sending them into captivity for 70 years. We are to have a Sabbath of rest every week. For the most part, we don’t. Has anyone added up the number of Sundays since we abolished blue laws?
Yikes, a quick search regarding blue laws shows roughly 70 years since we began treating the Sunday like any other day. Let’s see 70 X 52 =….! That’s a lot of days.
The final Bible incident that comes to mind is that of Elisha and the rolling back of the heavens. You see, there is this world that we see and touch and smell and hear and the spiritual battle waging all around us, the unseen world. In 2 Kings 6:15 we read, “When the servant of (Elisha) the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas my master, what shall we do?” Elisha replied, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” He saw God’s army!
The veil between the heavens and earth was peeled back and they could see the heavenly armies. I am convinced we are in an intense spiritual battle. What if we could see it? Let’s pray – “O Lord, please open our eyes that we may see.” Let’s ask to understand the heavenly reasons for this season of global quiet.
What has come clear thus far – is that Satan is the god of chaos and Yahveh is the God of order and inside of a month, most of the world has gone quiet. The music has stopped. While satan may be gleeful over a virus, the last thing he wants is quiet, peace, rest, or solitude.
I have an inkling, the heavens are up to something in this season of global quiet. O Lord, please open our eyes that we may see what you are doing in the thick stillness and give us rest.
P.S. The Bible also says not to eat bats.