July 23, 2019 – Encouraged By Silence

Scofield III Black Indexed

Encouraged By Silence

 July 23
 Daily Reading – Job 13-16 / Acts 20

GOD SAID:

Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.


GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       Several years ago, we had a gentleman in our church who had Alzheimer’s Disease. This dear saint of God could not remember a lot of things. However, there were a few old jokes and one liners he would repeat over, and over again. One of them was, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” He would tell me that and then just laugh and laugh. I’m not sure if he was talking about my preaching, or just wanted to share that thought on his mind. Still, when I read today’s verse in Job 13:5, it reminded me of him.

      Job’s friends had come to be a comfort to him. To try to cheer him up during his time of deep sorrow and wow. Yet, it seemed as though everything they said was just making things worse. He begins this chapter by telling them that they’re just saying things he already knows. He has read and heard all this before, and what they’re saying is of no value at all. In other words, you’re not really helping me guys. He goes on to say that what they are saying really does not apply to his situation. They’re like a doctor who comes to help a person get over an ailment, but has no idea what to do when he gets there. It would be better, he said, if you would just be quiet. You would appear to be wiser saying nothing at all. Sometimes people don’t need to hear our words as much as they just need to know we’re there and praying for them.


GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    There are times when people need wise counsel. Usually, when they’re ready to accept it, they’ll ask for it. However, there are just as many times when people just need a good friend to be there for them. We don’t always need to have an answer.


Have you ever needed such a friend?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

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