Thoughts on Speaking

Sometimes it is better to be silent and pray than it is to speak. We as humans tend to forget at times that God is a better Teacher than we are. I am not saying that we shouldn’t say anything to our brothers, but what I am saying is that speaking too much is no better than speaking too little. I tend to fall into the snare of the former trap–talking too much, for fear of shirking my duty.

I am trying to learn to pray and not utter a word when I or others are provoked. The Holy Spirit can help the situation far better than I can. Here is a perfect example. I was riding with my mother as we went to pick up my father from work. The woman in front of us was going very slow, and, apparently, not even doing the speed limit. My mother began to complain. I was tempted to remind her what she has often told me–that there is a reason for every delay. Knowing, however, that sometimes any words (even nice reminders) only make a bad situation worse, I remained silent and began to pray. Almost instantaneously the tide turned. “Well, all right, there must be a reason for this delay.”

This proves true the counsel of Proverbs 17:27: “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” He knows that no matter how many words he may speak, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that makes them worth anything–and that sometimes it is better to let Him do the work Himself. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6).

Blessings,
Jean

Will You Let Him Fight for You?

Have you ever felt a real heart-burden for someone? Have you ever watched what's happening to them and been overwhelmed with sorrow, but then when you tried to express your concern it came out in angry words, because of the grief that you feel? I have.

I have, and no matter how hard I try to control it and be kind, I end up coming across the wrong way. I can imagine saying it so clearly and sweetly in my head, but when it comes to actually speaking...all that unexpressed anger and grief just makes a mess of things. Even when I strive for a level tone and the right words, the other person just doesn't understand. And I for one seem hopeless to change my methods--at least, for the moment anyway.

I know it isn't all me, for other people that are around when I try to explain know exactly what I mean--nevertheless they think like I do, so I suppose that's not so far-fetched. But I do know that by trying to get the other person to see, is currently doing more harm than good. Yes, and especially when it comes to my representing my heavenly Father. I can't do it. For whatever reason, I can't verbalize my thoughts properly when upset. I know at least that I ought to be more instant in prayer during these times, as I often forget, but as to what else I need to do, I haven't a clue.

For now, I'm not going to try anymore. Instead of saying something to make myself clear when people make me upset or are upset with me, I'm just going to stay quiet and focus on praying. After all, the Holy Spirit knows exactly how I feel, and, moreover, exactly what needs to be done. Yes, He knows, and far better than I do. I can trust the case with Him.

God values, especially in a woman, "[the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). Presently, I am at a loss to have such a spirit and make myself understood, even when I have good concern. In the interest of my God and my loved ones, I relinquish the choice to explain my side of things. "For now, I claim the promise, "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (Exodus 14:14).

What about you? Will you let the LORD fight for you?

Blessings,
Jean

 

Peanuts and the Word of God

A peanut is technically a bean, but it is different from other beans. Whereas most other beans bear fruit above ground, the peanut grows under the ground. If someone altogether unfamiliar with peanuts and their growth process planted some, he might not think that it would amount to much at first. He might think it a waste of time to even bother cultivating them. He might think peanuts aren't worth the trouble. After all, it doesn't appear to be doing anything substantial, he would think. I just see a bunch of green leaves, but no beans. What he doesn't know is that a lot is happening underneath that soil, out of sight, and that there is indeed something substantial there.

So it is with the Word of God. Many people read the Bible and fail to see it in all its beauty. All they see is what seem to be leaves. They think it is of no greater value to them than any other book. This is because they do not take the time to honestly and earnestly dig beneath the surface; they do not take time to humbly and perseveringly penetrate the top soil, as it were. If they did, they would find something of inestimable worth--something worth more than anything they could imagine. The Word tells us that "the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom" (Job 28:28); and of wisdom it is written that, "all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it" (Proverbs 8:11). It is even worth more than gold, silver, or rubies (Psalm 19:10; Psalm 119:72; Proverbs 3:15).

Yet, again we see that to find it we must humbly and diligently seek it. "My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:1-5, emphasis supplied). It is only as we receive the Word, only as we listen and seek to apply what we learn, it is only as we cry, seek, and search for its treasures, that we will be rewarded. A disinterested, half-hearted attempt will not yield us anything.

Rather than being of no use, peanuts are one of the most useful beans. They are over fifty ways to utilize this legume. If we seek to truly know the Bible, we will find that it has more uses than the peanut--an answer for every question, a solution to every perplexity, a remedy for every ailment. May we seek to become more acquainted with this wonderful Book.

Blessings,
Jean