Encouragement, Part 4
Encouraging Silence
Mat 27:14 "Jesus kept silence--not a word from his mouth. The governor was
impressed, really impressed." (The Message)
Today's message may seem contradictory to what you've always believed. Most
of us need to actually "say" something to be encouraging. But I'd like to
say that silence can also be a big encouragement to many people. I am not
talking about failing to show appreciation; I am simply saying that there
are times when silence is golden and it means more than a myriad of words.
Jesus' silence when falsely accused "impressed" the governor. Why? Because
it is a human tendency to always defend ourselves. Not so with Jesus. His
silence had more meaning to the governor than any defense Jesus might have
given on His behalf. This is why Pilate was convinced that Jesus was
innocent! (see Luk 23:4)
I remember the night my dad passed away. A somber message from my brother
was left on our answering machine in the middle of the night. It was all I
could do to make the necessary arrangements for my wife and I to fly to
Belgium and to make arrangements for my mother-in-law (bless her) to fly out
from California to take care of our son who was sick with the flu. I didn't
completely comprehend at the time that my dad was gone. It wasn't until I
saw him lying lifeless in the hospital that it hit home. That's when my
tears poured forth. I didn't know the Lord at the time, and I thought he
wouldn't be able to enjoy the pleasure of sight any longer. My world had
seemed to crumble.
Many people came to give me their condolences. They filled the air with
meaningless words. I know they meant well, but my state of mind was not such
that I could appreciate their words. The ones who were the most annoying
were the ones who made long speeches. Didn't they understand I couldn't
grasp what they said? I was living in fog. I felt empty and completely
discouraged, and all of these well-meaning friends were keeping me from
grieving!
However, there was one person and one person alone who made a difference as
I struggled to cope with the loss of my dad. That person had insisted of
coming with me to Belgium, but she never uttered a word. Instead, she held
my hand when I needed a presence. She hugged me when I needed comfort. She
even held me in her arms when I tried to fall asleep at night, although
later on I found out that this kept her from sleeping herself. She cried
when I cried. This person's presence made a whole difference to me. Her
silence meant more to me that the hundreds of encouragements I verbally
received. This person was my wife. By silently caring about me, she helped
to turn my world right side up again.
I would like to encourage any of you who find yourselves in the situation
where you need to console someone, just be there. Hold them if they need
comfort, cry with them for their loss. You being there will mean the world
to them. Many years may pass by, but they will always remember that you were
the one who really mourned, the one sent by God to help them out of the
state of fog their mind was in. Your silence will be golden and will be
perceived as the best encouragement they could have ever received.
The same is true when we pray. How often do we give endless monologues that
end up with us still not knowing God's will for our situation? God's Word is
clear on this:
Zec 2:13 "Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before GOD. Something's afoot in his
holy house. He's on the move!" (Message)
We need to be quiet to be able to hear His voice! Prayer is not a monologue,
it's a dialogue and we need to wait and listen to God's response. No wonder
that so many people hate praying. Who likes monologues? I don't know of many
people who do. However if you let God talk with you, you will hunger for
more of these conversations with God.
I love my moments when I am in dialogue with my Heavenly father. The best
way for me to do so is to go for a power walk with my Forever Friend. I
always come back from my walk enriched and blessed. The more I listen to Him
and the less I talk, the more blessed I am.
Psa 65:1 "Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience."
(Message)
When we are in communication with God, and we take the time to listen, our
silence is considered by God as a praise offering. It also shows our
obedience because it shows that we want to hear His voice. We want to know
His will. We care for His directions in our lives. We realize that He is the
One who makes a difference in our world. He is so awesome.
My Heavenly Father holds me, too, when I need comfort. He cares for me way
beyond anyone on this planet. And He cares for you in the same way! Will you
go for a power walk with God right now? Listen to His voice. Wait on Him.
You will be amazed to His revelations. He wants to have a relationship with
you. Go for it and enjoy it! Silence can be golden!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org