Monday, January 9, 2012

Without A Word

"...in quietness and trust is your strength..."
Isaiah 30:15

As His children, sometimes God calls us to speak up and speak out in faith.  Sometimes He commands us to be quiet in trust.  Both can be challenging, out-of-comfort-zone experiences. Yet obedience to God in the speaking out or in the hushing up brings the harvest of His joy and blessings.

In the midst of an unnecessarily messy situation, my honorable husband is being led by God to speak not a word, to simply and quietly trust God to be our sweet Defender and our covering of truth, righteousness, honor and integrity.  We are trusting God's goodness quietly in prayer as over and over in scripture we see God defends our honor if we are endeavoring to live lives honorable to Him. 

Resting before the Lord, Jim has told me to utter not a word, to send not an email, to make not a phone call.  I haven't.  I won't.  I am following my husband's counsel and trusting God's leadership through him.  One thing I know for sure:  God commands me to follow and respect my husband's leadership, and His peace comes as the fruit of my obedience to this command.  

By His grace and out of reverence for Him and my husband, I will follow my husband's hushed lead.  And God has already blessed me through His Word.  Look!



Yesterday morning as I was spending time in God's Word, He serendipitously strung the following verses together for me.  I love Him for confirming these truths to me!  I am currently in Genesis in my One Year Chronological Bible.  I read this passage in Genesis 24 and then He reminded me of these other verses:

Without saying a word,
the man watched her closely
to learn whether or not
the LORD had made his journey successful.
Genesis 24:21

Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
1 Peter 3:1-2

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
Isaiah 53:7

Often times, God's will and purposes in our lives is ushered in as we open not our mouths. 

Successful journeys.

Husbands won over to Christ.

Salvation and redemption.

All of this while our mouths are closed in obedience.

Our quietness demonstrates our trust and faith in HIM.  He is our Defender, our Redeemer, our Salvation, our Way and our Provider.  What glory He receives when He works His purposes through our quietness and trust.

"…the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in God’s sight."  1 Peter 3:4

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithful Word!!!

"When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
~ 1 Peter 2:23

Your Devotional Journal

Saying grace ~ Bringing my heart to God in prayer.

My Portion ~ Where Has God met me in His Word today?

Nourishment ~ How does God want to mold and change my heart?

Second Helpings ~ Where does God want me to be a doer of the Word and take action?

Time for Dessert ~ What can I share with others from what God showed me today?  

"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you..."
Joel 2:26

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sharon. Thank you so much. My husband and I are doing great after 7 years of marriage. :) But there is something we are dealing with. Your story touched me so greatly that I stopped reading, closed my eyes and said, "This is too much." Meaning, God gave me this story. It's eery how much I needed it. (Eery b/c I'm a new Christian still getting used to hearing Him speaking to my heart.) I just was overwhelmed for a moment. Thank you! God is with you and please do not stop blogging. It is wonderful.

Shelly Burke said...

Thank you, Sharon! Sometimes I soooo want to say something (I know the "perfect" words to say, you know!) but have that still small voice that says, "Don't say a word." I'm glad someone else hears it--and glad we can be sure of our guidance from Him when we seem to be going against what we should do.

Unknown said...

it is the end of the day and all day i kept thinking telling myself get into His Word....i did not and then i see your post...and i am in AWE again at how GOD Himself speaks to me through others who are sharing their journey with Him...Thank you so very much for sharing Gods Truths to literally the world...i am truly blessed by you and i thank God for you...
NUMBERS 6:24~26 is my prayer for you :O)

Fields of gold said...

Dear Sharon, friend, I'm so sorry for this trial you and Jim are in. And pray with faith that the same God who led the Israelites through years of captivity to a sweet land flowing with milk and honey, will lead you too.

Much love and prayers. Thank you for these truths! LTS!

xoxo, Sam

Anonymous said...

I was so blessed by this blog! It came at such a time as I needed it! Thank you for sharing.

Maria said...

Thank you so much for this today...I so needed this today...thank you!!!!

Kim said...

How very timely. I am in the midst of a valley journey, too. It is exhausting and frustrating. The Lord gave me Exodus 14:14 a few weeks ago. He will fight the battle and I am to be still.

I have to laugh though - in one translation, I believe the Message, it actually says, "....and you? Keep your mouth shut!"

There is great blessing (and peace) in obedience. I'm learning.

Denise C said...

Thank you so much for posting this. I am in the midst of a storm with my unsaved husband. When my storm started a month ago a dear relative who started reading the Bible chronologically last year was on day 354 and the verse he gave me for that day was 1 Peter 3:1-2.

I have seen "keep your mouth shut" but didn't know in what context I was supposed to be doing that. I started asking God what he meant by that and how was I suppose to proceed.

After seeing your post and Bible verses I have felt God speaking to me and I know exactly what he wants me to do. The same verses have been spoken over and over again.

Thank you again for your post and may God continue to bless you through your journey. I will pray for you and your husband.

Blessings,
Denise