2 Kings 18:36-37. A commander of the Assyrian army, the Rabshakeh, has just spoken to the people of Jerusalem saying that their God cannot save them from the might of the Assyrian army and they would be better off just giving up the city. "But the people were silent and answered him not a word" because King Hezekiah had commanded them not to. Then the head of Hezekiah's household, his secretary, and the recorder went back to Hezekiah with their clothes rent and told him what the Rabshakeh had said.

How difficult it is to remain silent when we are provoked like this! What discipline it must have taken on the part of the people to obey the king's command and not respond in kind to the Rabshakeh's "trash talk." I have a lot of difficulty with this myself. I know God is often telling me to keep my cool and hold my tongue. I know that many of the proverbs and wisdom books tell me how wise it is to remain silent in the face of foolish talk and vain boasting. Yet it really does take so much effort to stay calm and not say anything.

I am learning, slowly, to do it. And I see that as I practice this skill, and become better at it, I become more detached from the situation. The words do not provoke the same emotional reaction in me. This then lets me formulate a charitable, truthful response if one is needed. Often one is not needed and the provocateur just needs the space to run his or her mouth off. I cannot let them drag me into their turmoil, but I can let them speak and just let their words go.

Silence really is golden most of the time!