Willing to speak and willing to shut up

Numbers 1; Psalm 35; Ecclesiastes 11; Titus 3

There are many sayings for a certain principle. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” “You cannot get a goal if you don’t take a shot.” “Better to aim for the stars and hit the woodpile than aim for the woodpile and hit your foot.” And this one from Solomon:

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

I once had an art teacher who said that if he let the weather determine whether he should go out to paint, soon he would never go out. He realized that making excuses was a form of procrastination, even a disobedience to his giftedness. After a time it didn’t matter if it was -40 degrees with a wind or sunny and mild with a breeze — he went out anyway. He refused to always find something wrong with the weather.

Christians have a similar problem or at least I do when it comes to sharing my faith. “The words didn’t come to me.” “That person doesn’t seem interested.” “I’m afraid she will reject me.” The list goes on. But as the saying goes, I cannot expect others come to faith in Christ if they are not given opportunity to hear about Him and what He has done.

When Paul wrote to Titus, he told him to “Declare these things” referring to the gospel about Jesus Christ, and to “exhort and rebuke with all authority.” He added, “Let no one disregard you.” Then he goes on to outline what this pastor was supposed to say and what not to say:

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:1–11)

I’m not a pastor, but this passage wipes out all those excuses that I’ve made. It tells me what to say, who to say it to, how to say it, and what not to say and who to avoid!

Remind them to obey authorities. Romans 13 describes how this applies to governing bodies even those that we don’t like. These days, this means follow the guidelines for Covid-19. We may not like them or agree, but they are for our protection. God may not rescue those who resist His commands!

Obey them myself, not putting others down or fighting with them. Be polite and gentle, remembering all my own struggles and resistance to God. I’ve been there, but He showed mercy. Share my own story including both ‘before and after’ yet backing up my words with the way I live.

I’m not to get into disputes or discussions that stir up division and warn those who do this. It is not like God to argue! If speaking to others about Jesus is going to bring me into an argument, it is wise to keep my mouth shut.

APPLY: Some days are very quiet in this self-isolation mode. Other days, I call people or the phone rings off the hook and people want to talk. I need to say whatever the Lord prompts me to say — with truth and in love. As the Word of God says, I cannot expect any kind of life and growth unless I am willing to plant seeds and water them, and practice what I preach.

From gloom to praise to practical living . . .

Leviticus 23; Psalm 30; Ecclesiastes 6; 2 Timothy 2

There are days when the Word of God says all that I want to say. I prayed last night for a problem and God answered. I had felt as if He had left yet I knew this was not true. At times, death seemed better than life and all the bad news a bigger threat than I could bear. But today this is a good description of how He changed that gloom into praise:

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Psalm 30:1-12)

Today we worshiped and watched our church service (live streamed, then posted on You tube). There was praise and practical application in that, yet the Lord already gave me this to think about concerning the challenges of each day. This is my application:

Therefore, if you cleanse yourself from what is dishonorable, you will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And as the Lord’s servant you must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting your opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:21–26, personalized) Amen.