Silence

I was teaching a class and a lady made a random remark that I don’t think anyone got but me. It was one of those casual, off hand remarks…no big profound statement. I don’t think she had any idea that God had used her to speak truth to me.

Ever had one of those experiences? Just as sure as you know your name, you know God spoke to you through that person. It was pointedly, expressly … for you.

And maybe no one got it but you…but you got it. You really got it. And the longer you thought about it, the more you got it and the more certain you were, that it was Him.

I don’t remember the exact statement…but something like, “We have to ask God before He’ll do it.”

We all struggle with issues. I heard a speaker say we usually have a top two or three…same stuff, over and over again. Satan knows exactly what to use to bait our hook. Maybe it’s our mouth, our spending, our attitude, bitterness, anxiety, just fill in the blank.

We begin the morning spending time with the Lord. Our family shares a harmonious breakfast. We kiss our honey good bye, get the kids out the door…everyone is smiling. We work up to warp speed as the day progresses with things still going well…but we’re getting tired and a little hungry. Three o’clock rolls around or more accurately 3:00 crash lands with brakes squealing and that old habit, attitude, thought, place that we go either physically or in our minds, creeps into our awareness.

We’re faced with a choice.

Amazing this never happens to me early in the morning. I’ve reflected on that fact so much so that some days I’ve thought about tying the chair I use for my quiet time to my butt and hauling it around with me during the day….it’s just all so good…when I’m in that chair.

But I don’t have to tie myself to the chair, the Holy Spirit is in my heart. He’s there whether I recognize Him as being there or not…whether I acknowledge Him or not.

So as the clock strikes 3, you slowly turn your head and through half closed eyes, look at your nemesis, your archenemy, your opponent, your competitor.

And you are silent.

Does God tell us to be silent? NO!! He tells us to FLEE, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, STAND FIRM! Sounds pretty intentional to me….no gray area here, no vacillating, no pull yourself up by your boot strings, no arbitration, no pep talk. It’s run… talk to Him …and stand firm in what He tells you to do. Clear cut. Period.

But we have a choice and silence on our part is one alternative. Know how I know? Because I’m often silent. Know who wins? Satan. My flesh. Every time. Every time.

Luke 11 says, “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

If we ask, God will give the Holy Spirit and in the Holy Spirit are found gifts….all wrapped into one. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. He lives within every child of God. When we cry out to Him, he supernaturally produces those qualities within us. And they defeat whatever nemesis is facing us. Compare them to whatever trips you up. It’s an either / or. Either gluttony or self control. Either anxiety or peace. Either bitterness or joy.

I have no idea how this works. It’s a God thing. Supernatural. But we have to ask.

We are not to sit down, size up the enemy, reason with him. We are to call on Jesus. He will rescue. He will defeat your enemy by the power of his name and through His Holy Spirit who lives…within you.

But…you have to ask. Just whisper His Name…and ask.