When Silence Speaks to Our Souls
Good Morning Friends,
I was giving thought to today’s scripture even as I awoke, contemplating its meaning for a Christian in a very diverse world and came to the conclusion that rejoicing always for some may seem too tall an order. Some things stink. Praying for enemies is hard. But now, it is as if God wanted to continue the topic of discussion with me, as this very same scripture is the chosen scripture for today and not by me. Sometimes one wants a little quiet. Now in reflection I see that my doubt and denial of God’s sustaining and enduring presence in all things changes the context. Just as we breathe the air around us without ceasing, so too we are to rejoice in all things of God. No we do not have to rejoice in evil for that is the absence of God, but we are to rejoice in the paradox of God’s omnipresence. No wonder my mind swims. Friends, the context is one of discovery that reinforces our continuing experience of prayer with God until all are saved that God is going to save. Our transformation from fear to love though faith requires for us to be with God constantly communicating and recognizing When Silence Speaks to Our Souls.
Scripture: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NRSV)
Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Message: Everyone prays, Christians pray, sinners pray and even atheists pray. People pray for years and years and cannot tell you for sure if God answered the prayers. The problem is that we do not understand the purpose of prayer. The problem is that we are arrogant. Friends, the primary reason for prayer is for fellowship and relationship with each other and specifically with God. We all have an internal voice. Some have more than one. It is no wonder that we ask for the wrong things. It is no wonder we are divided. It is no wonder that the longest prayer in the Bible is of Jesus praying for our unity in love (John 17). Friends, here we might just discover that we have no right to ask for those things that fill our pride. We are but a wisp of smoke and fog. Our focus is too often the wrong focus. The deal is to let God work His will in us. So shout no to the devil and quietly say yes to the Lord. But don’t stop breathing for very long even if something stinks. Friends, you have to keep breathing…you have to keep rejoicing, you have to stay in constant prayer. That is the way. So honor the message of God. Stand on the shoulders of those who have thought this through. Be patient. Do not write off others. Pray constantly for God to be in your life and in the lives of everyone. Friends, God wants each precious life to be rescued from an epidemic of wandering away from God. We can honor His message when we understand that God is in charge of deciding human destiny. We honor His message when we overcome our fear so that we might share the love of Jesus in us even in the silence.
Pray we live thankfully in prayer. Pray we mobilize and encourage each other in prayer. Pray we be devoted and earnest and persistent and active and unwearied and intent on prayer. Pray we not be selfish. Pray we realize that God gives grace to the willing humble. Pray we take some lessons in our laments that bring us closer to God. Pray we realize that God is to be reckoned with. Pray for each other so that we might live together whole and healed. Pray His Kingdom comes. Pray we realize that the last word is not ours but God’s. Pray we listen to God’s voice in our hearts when all else is silent. Pray the weight of our prayers on our hearts tips the scale forcing heaven to come to earth changing us forever.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 