Silence Can Be Bliss

The four hundred year interval between the two testaments is known as, “The Silent Years.” Some have called it, “The Dark Period.” The reason being, there was neither prophet nor inspired writer during this time. Undoubtedly, God’s people quoted this sad Psalm which seems to be applicable to them during this long night in human history, “We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.”

But silence does not mean God is sleeping; for He neither sleeps, nor slumbers. What it does denote, more times than one, is that He is getting ready to do something spectacular. In Israel’s case, it was the first coming of Christ; in our situation, it could mean His Second Coming to earth again. One way or the other, a great event may soon be in store for His elect. To be sure, sooner or later, God always breaks His silence.

But this fact is not only true collectively, but individually. When there are long seasons in our lives and ministries when it seems nothing is happening, and the heavens are quiet, it is then that the Lord breaks through and pours out His abundant blessings upon us. And so, we see, silence can be bliss.

May each of us, during this muted time in our lives pray Isaiah’ prayer, “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down…."

Misjudgement

You can judge the manner in which a person does something, but not their motive. Joseph’s manner in speaking to his brothers was, “roughly,” which was apparent to all; but his inward motive was to bring them to repentance. After this was accomplished we’re told he “...spake kindly unto them.” If you had judged him too quickly, you would have found to your own embarrassment, you were wrong in your assessment of this good man. 

It is difficult to be misjudged, to be condemned, especially by loved ones and friends, as Paul was; while trying to do ones best. Paul experienced this injustice by the pharisaical Corinthian believers. Interestingly, in his case, those doing the judging were immoral, divisive, and immature. This is definitely one of those times when the pot is calling the kettle black.

But Paul said he had little or no concern for their censorship of him. He considered it a trifle. The reason being, he knew he could not even judge himself without being biased. Thus, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.” Therefore he would leave the judging of his motives to God. It was of little consequence to Paul what estimate even he placed on himself.

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ

When the Colors Run Together

What does one do when the colors of life seem to run together; when doctrines and  you’ve held for a life-time appear to have lost their distinction? Like John the Baptist, you become uncertain of what you have always held as being certain? When your dogmatism, if you please, ends up in the doghouse?

Well, I’ll tell you what I do at such times; I immediately come back to my foundation. This “Sure Foundation” is the only thing in my life I am truly sure of. When the top floors of my life begin to sway, I hurry back down that long flight of stairs to my settled, solid, and unmovable foundation. It is here I get my sure footing once again.

My dear friends, build your life as high as you’re capable; but remember the Foundation upon which you have built it. Forgetting will only bring everything we’ve built down in shambles, so that we might be reminded of Him who is the True Foundation of our life and ministry.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (I Cor.3:11)

The Sheep's Nature

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” It’s a sheep’s nature to stray. If any so-called deeper life Christian tells you otherwise mark it down, you’re listening to a shallow person. An old preacher friend of mine used to say of this sort, “They’re not deep, they’re just muddy.”

The song that says, “Coming home…never more to roam,” may be a good sentiment, but it’s not scriptural. The Christian life from start to finish is a process of returning. We may not show external signs of going away from the Lord, but God knows we do in our hearts. Speaking of His elect in the book of Isaiah, He says, “[They] have removed their heart far from me.” We all have prodigal hearts.

Daily, God has to call unto us, "Return unto me…" It’s a wonderful thing to return home from a hog pen and find a hot meal awaiting you. And then, to have the bath water run for us, with the fluffy towels laid out, is more than one can imagine.

But the climax is when the Father tucks us into our bed, between clean white sheets, then kisses us on the forehead, saying, “I’m glad you have returned home, child.” It is then and only then that our wayward souls find true rest.

My friend, if you can go away and stay away, it’s doubtful you ever had a home and Father to return to.

God's Plan for Each of His Children

Acts 12:1, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2, And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3, And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also...4, And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him...5, Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him...11, Peter... said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod.”

A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN

It’s a wise father who deals with each of his children individually, according to their personal needs. The saying, “One size fits all,” is not true in a family. True generally, but not specifically.   

JAMES AND PETER

I heard a camp meeting preacher once say, “James died and Peter lived because the church prayed for Peter.” Such speculation is unfounded. The main characteristic of the early church was prayer.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES, NOT PARTICULAR PEOPLE

It is a dangerous norm to follow someone else's life in every detail. Whether it be great saints of the past or even Biblical biographies. Elijah was caught up to heaven, Elisha died of his sickness.

EACH HAS HIS OR HER OWN CROSS

Some crosses are made of velvet, still others of rough materials. But they all have one thing in common: they crucify the bearer. The rich with the invalid child, and the healthy, but poor man.

THERE SHOULD BE NO GUILT TRIPS FOR ANY OF US

None should lament the fact they are not in the same position as another brother or sister, whose lot is seemingly worse than their own. “Man looketh on the outward appearance.”

EYE HATH NOT SEEN

There are those who would gladly suffer in his brother or sister’s place, if they could only rid themselves of that deep, unseen, agony of soul, they’ve suffered their whole lifelong!

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

HE STOLE MY HEART

“…and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure…” The song writer said it best when he penned, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” The word “amazed” is found often in the Gospels, and is usually related to Jesus, either directly or indirectly. It’s definition is “filled with great surprise, astonishment, or wonder.”

The Christian should live in perennial amazement at who Jesus is and what He does. I never cease to be amazed at God’s people, who are no longer amazed. You can always tell when one has lost the wonder of it all; it shows in every area of his or her life. In their fellowship, singing, preaching, yes, and especially in their lifeless, formal prayers.

The old evangelist, Gypsy Smith, when in his eighties, was asked how he had managed to keep his freshness over the long years he had served the Lord. His reply was simply, “I guess it’s because I’ve never lost the wonder of it all.”

"Since He looked upon me, my heart is not my own; He hath run away to Heaven with it."
— Samuel Rutherford

Jesus and Family Squabbles

“And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  (Lk. 12:13)

FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

You couldn’t get Jesus involved in family squabbles. He knew, as the old saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water.” Our Lord minded His Father’s business, not others’ 

PERCHED ON THE WRONG END OF THE LIMB

Individual families have something going between them that the outsider, even loved ones, know nothing of. Husband and wife, siblings, mothers and fathers, married children, have a way of working things out, without our expertise. Invaratably the busybody finds himself or herself on the wrong end of the limb. When it is sawed off, the two parties get back together, but both, with disgust, remember your meddling. Such situations do not heal quickly. Some never do. 

Where Peace Is To Be Found

“HE IS OUR PEACE”

LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

Peace is not to be found in a pill, pleasure, or playthings. Real, true, legitimate peace is to be found only is a PERSON! Lasting peace is found in a lasting PERSON, not in perishable things.

THE WORLD’S PEACE

The world has a peace it offers, but it is only cosmetic. Like everything else they offer, it is painted on. It is superficial. A cheap whitewash, if you please. Moses told God’s elect, “Thou shalt not seek their peace.” Why? because when they say, “Peace, peace, there is no peace...the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

OUR ELDER BROTHER’S BEQUEATHAL

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” His peace is greater than all this world's troubles and fears. Where they abound, His peace doth much more abound!

STORMS AND PEACE

Like a buoy, we may be tossed to and fro in the storm, but in the depth of our souls there is tranquility. For like the buoy, we have an unseen anchor.“We have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

OUR TRIUNE GOD’S COVENANT OF PEACE

Our peace is to be found in the eternal Godhead, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. We are told of our Father, He is the God of peace; of the Son, He is our peace; and of the Spirit,  His fruit is peace.

Rushing to Go Nowhere

...the king's business required haste.”  (1 Sam. 21:8)
“...he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isa. 28:16)

There is a vast difference in running for the King and running to go nowhere. If you run nowhere you're sure to get nowhere. Joab sent Cushi with a message for king David. Ahimaaz didn’t have one, yet he wanted to run anyway. He outran Cushi, but didn’t have anything to offer when he arrived. Therefore, the king told him to stand aside, while he listened to Cushi. The lesson learned from this is, “The race is not to the swift,” and, “The first shall be last.”

As Mary of old, we need to sit still until we hear the words, “The Master is come, and calleth for thee.” It is when He commands that we are to, as they say, “Get a leg on.” Movement in itself doesn’t mean progress; look at a merry-go-round, if you doubt me. Israel went in circles for forty years. This age is characterized, as Daniel puts it, “[at] the time of the end: many shall run to and fro.” One old preacher said, “I don’t go anyplace any more. I spend all my time just dodging.” As God’s people, let’s not get caught up in the hurry and scurry of this frustrated world.

We are told of our Lord, “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.” And of the maniac of Gadara, “[he] was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) One’s movement was for the the Glory of God. The other was for the purpose of the devil. WHO'S DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE?