Don’t Speak, Listen

“If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.”~~Michel de Montaigne
(BrainyQuote)

Today’s word of the day, from Merriam-Webster, is canoodle. It means “to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing.” Appropriate for Valentine’s Day, right?

Today is International Book Giving Day. The idea is to not just share books, but to share them with young readers. So get out there and give away some books! (But don’t give them to me. I don’t have any more room.)

As expected, we didn’t do much of anything, yesterday. Christi rested a lot, we watched some TV, and played Fallout 4 quite a bit. The only time one of us left the house was when I went out to get us something to eat at around 6-7 PM. That’s what Saturdays are for, in my mind! 😀

This morning, we have our worship gathering at The Exchange. We meet at 10:15 at the Northpark YMCA at 9100 N. Beach St., Fort Worth, Texas. If you’re in the area, come and join us.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

(From Praying With the Psalms)

For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Psalm 25:11-22

“God is for us, not against us.” Most of us really need to let that sink in.

“God is for us, not against us.” Once we realize this truth, we can stop trying to “avoid his notice,” or worse, trying to work to soothe his nonexistent anger toward us, and begin to live our lives growing in his friendship.

“God, it’s hard to get it through my head that while I am yet a sinner, and even while I continue to disappoint you, you steadfastly befriend me in Jesus. But how grateful I am! Thank you, in the name of your Son. Amen.”

(From My Utmost For His Highest)

Today’s reading is “The Discipline of Heeding.”

What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 10:27

There are times when God will put us through “the discipline of darkness” in order to teach us how to heed him. Chambers advises us to be aware of when God places us in darkness, “and when you are there keep your mouth shut. . . . remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will talk in the wrong mood: darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason of the darkness, but listen and heed.” If we talk to others, we can’t listen to what God is saying.

After the time of darkness, there will be a time of both delight and humiliation. Chambers comments that if there is only delight, we probably didn’t really hear God at all. The humiliation is not a bad thing, but simply understanding how long it took us to hear God. This, in turn, “brings the softness of heart that will always listen to God now.”

Father, teach me these things. I know from experience that opening my mouth “in the dark” is not a good thing. I truly have spoken in the wrong mood during these times. I have also made the mistake of talking to others, and, perhaps, reading books on what others had to say. Help me to listen to only you when you place me in dark times. Then lead me into that state of combined delight and humiliation; delight in having heard your voice, and humiliation because it took me so long.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.