Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 3, 2014
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Exodus 14:14, NASB
Sometimes silence is the best strategy. We replace exhausting striving with energizing silence. Our flesh wants to engage in an emotional debate, but our spirit says wait. The outcome is much better when we pause for the Holy Spirit to calm down our conflicted heart before we confront the issue. Our daily battles are best fought with faith in Jesus at the forefront. The proud and prestigious are no match for God’s power which empowers our quiet and humble prayers.
A person may agitate us, but by God’s grace, we can refrain from a rude reaction and pray for them. We won’t allow another’s bad day to ruin our day. We might even think empathetically, “They are under a lot of pressure, how can I help?” We can choose to see an antagonist as a needy human being with their own unresolved issues. Perhaps our silent response settles their soul into seeking an eternal solution to their angst. God can speak clearly when we are quiet.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” (Isaiah 30:15).
Our flesh screams for its way, but faith in the Lord’s faithfulness is foundational to our remaining silent. Our words may delay the work of God’s word. For example, if someone we know is seeking wisdom from their heavenly Father, better to pray with them than to assume we know what they need to do. Instead of prescribing a solution for them based on our own experience, we can refer them to Scripture references relevant to their situation. God speaks through His Word.
Moreover, our silence invites the Lord’s inner strength for our soul. Trusting resolve grows patience. In place of saying something we later regret, we wait on the Spirit to speak into the situation. He may impress humility upon our heart and forgiveness on the heart of one we let down. God can use another caring believer to bring clarity to the confusion or a solution to the problem. Surrender to Christ and invite Him to fight for you. Your silence releases His resources.
“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in my silence I look to You to speak and fight for Your will to be done.
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 17:47; Psalm 24:8, 35:1; Matthew 26:63; Acts 15:12
Post/Tweet today: Our silence invites the Lord’s inner strength for our soul. Trusting resolve grows patience. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Song- The Battle is the Lord’s: http://tinyurl.com/mfnquv7
Order our new book, The Way of Wisdom: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth, just out October 1st! Boyd’s one minute book video- http://bit.ly/1nhZ2bt
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I have been having some issues at work where I feel it’s unjust and last night I prayed for God to enter in my heart and give me wisdom on to how to handle it. I truly feel that todays message was from him.
Thank you for being the middle men.
God bless!
Dear Letica~
Thank you! for letting us know that God spoke to you through the words of the devotional, “Keep Silent”. Isn’t it always amazing that HE speaks to us through His Word, other people, devotionals, and stirrings in our heart. Leticia, you were willing to trust Him and listen!
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter. We look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings,
Gwynne
thanks pat
Thank you for your website. I’ve been struggling for over 3 years with not being about two see my grandbabies. Your website keeps me going and it is like God is talking to me directly each day. Thank you again….
Dear Kim~
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. I am so sorry you are going through this season of family struggles but I know we have a Heavenly Father that knows what is going on and feels your heartache. We are thankful that you have heard God’s whispers though the devotionals (you said, “it is like God is talking to me directly each day”). Kim, what a blessing to know God loves you so very much that He does speak to you through His Word, devotionals, other believers and circumstances. Cling to Him, Kim, and hold on tight. He will see you through this season.
Please let us know how you are your family is doing. We have a prayer ministry at Wisdom Hunters and we would be blessed to pray for you and your family. Just let me know.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6,7