Tag: Silence

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The Silence of God

Daily Reading

Job 32-34

Daily Thought

Elihu, a young man, waited until his elders and Job were done talking, then he had something to say, “It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion’” (Job 42:9-10). He comes off as a typical young know-it-all: he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, yet he thinks he’s got it figured out. It would be easy to write him off. 

That would be a mistake. What if he is right?

Job’s three older friends had God figured out. Job was suffering, therefore, Job had sinned. God will answer when Job repents. It’s a formula God always answers. It may be “yes” or “no” or “not yet” (another formula with three options). Isn’t that how God works? 

But what if God doesn’t answer?

This was Job’s dilemma and Job’s demand, “Oh, that I had one to hear me! Let the Almighty answer me! (Job 31:35). Ultimately, this was Job’s sin, not something he had done (as Job’s three friends claimed), but something he was doing, something he was demanding of God. Elihu called him out on it, “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). To know God is to trust him, so stop questioning God. Worship him, for “God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice” (Job 34:12).

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me. ~Job 38:1-3

It is not that God does not answer, but that he does not answer to you (or me). In God’s silence, he seeks our trust. We answer to him.

Daily Prayer

Sovereign God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Your ways are good, right, and just. They are also loving. You are, at the same time, my Loving Father and my Righteous Judge. Why would I want to live in a world not ruled by righteousness? And yet, I do. 

Your Word seems foreign to this world, because this world would rather rule itself, and the results are not good. I can serve the kingdom of man or the Kingdom of God, but not both. The choice is clear, and I choose to be ruled by righteousness. I will follow You.

Amen

Daily Question

Does your faith grow or weaken when God is silent?

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If You Can’t Say Anything Nice

Daily Reading

Proverbs 16-18

Daily Thought

The book of Proverbs has much to say about what we say, both good, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24); and bad, “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating” (Proverbs 18:8). Proverb’s best advice–handle your words with care. “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27). Author George Eliot counseled, “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact”; and my dad frequently advised, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Good advice all.

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt,” has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Socrates, and many others, but Proverbs said it first, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Proverbs 17:28). Proverbs makes it clear that intelligence and wisdom are not at all the same, and frequently in opposition; no more so than when we use our words. Our intelligence is oft displayed in what we say; our wisdom in what we don’t.

Daily Prayer

Our Wonderful God, when You speak, amazing things happen. The world was created. You spoke the Law that gives us life. And Jesus, the epitome of Your Word, walked on earth. You still speak; may I listen. More than that, may I obey. May I love Your Word.

God, may I also be one who speaks in a way that reflects well on You. May I always seek to bring You glory in all I do, and in all I say, and often enough, in what I don’t say. May my words be measured, and may they be good.

Amen

Daily Question

When do you find it most difficult to find the right words to speak? 

Posted on

If You Can’t Say Anything Nice

Daily Reading

Proverbs 16-18

Daily Thought

The book of Proverbs has much to say about what we say, both good, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24); and bad, “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating” (Proverbs 18:8). Its best advice–handle your words with care. “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27). Author George Eliot counseled, “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact”; and my dad frequently advised, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Good advice all.

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt,” has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Socrates, and many others, but Proverbs said it first, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Proverbs 17:28). Proverbs makes it clear that intelligence and wisdom are not at all the same, and frequently in opposition; no more so than when we use our words. Our intelligence is oft displayed in what we say; our wisdom in what we don’t.

Daily Prayer

Our Wonderful God, when You speak, amazing things happen. The world was created. You spoke the Law that gives us life. And Jesus, the epitome of Your Word, walked on earth. You still speak; may I listen. More than that, may I obey. May I love Your Word.

God, may I also be one who speaks in a way that reflects well on You. May I always seek to bring You glory in all I do, and in all I say, and often enough, in what I don’t say. May my words be measured, and may they be good.

Amen