SHHH

There are times to speak loudly the Word of the Lord and other times where the best thing is to be quiet and just being there is enough. There are many types of ministering from pulpit, to serving food or handing out clothes. These are great forms of sharing God’s Word but sometimes just your presence speaks God’s Grace, Love, and Mercy in volumes
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No Sermon Needed

Job was very happy that his friends decided to be there with him. Their presence was very comforting until one of them began to speak, then it all went downhill from there. Job calls his friends “miserable comforters (Job 16:2)” because they went from comforting to condemning Job for being a sinner. If they had just stayed quiet, God would not have condemned them (Job 42:7-9) and require the one who needed comfort (Job) to be the one who sought forgiveness for his friends in prayer.

The Ministry of Presence is best described as someone who has God in the heart who provides comfort and shares God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy through action or inaction where words may do more harm than good. We have had so many tragedies in the last 40 years both manmade and natural that opened so many heart’s eyes to serve those effected through presence alone and turned many back to God because they sacrificed time and materials to help without question.

Silence Is Golden    

Military and civil servant leaders understand the signals that body language can give. An open hand gesture means move in a direction while a closed fist signals a stop. When in close quarters the eye can give direction and warn of the dangers that may lie ahead. A raised hand can mean many things so one must look at the eyes to see whether the hand is about to strike out in anger or the person is taking a protective stance.  

The lack of noise coming from one’s mouth plays an integral part in giving comfort. The Psalms and
Proverbs warn us of watching what comes from the tongue and Jesus tells us that what comes out of the mouth is more vile than what goes in. The heart speaks without words. Our thoughts can be presented in so many ways without noise. Our eyes show concern or distain. Our body language can tell others how we are going to present ourselves. Movements of the hand can tell of violent or loving tendencies. To know others without words is to see the self in many lights. Silence is worth its weight in gold.

Prayer Warriors Need Quiet Time Too

There are times when the best prayers are said without uttering a word. In silence, people are forgiven. In silence, situations become clear. In silence, love is shared. In silence, wounds are healed. Prayer Warriors do not have to pray loud for God to hear because He hears the rumblings of our hearts.

What is quiet time? Quiet time is the time for personal reflection and without boasting, giving back to God all things. We boast in our weakness through prayer only to find that God has provided the strength we need to make it through the day.

We need to spend time sharing with one another but part of that is truly just being there. Many relationships are built on the presence of others and the greatest relationships are built in the presence of God. The next time someone says they need someone to talk to, don’t be Job’s friends, sit and listen without condemnation or judgement. Quietly share Christ. Be the Good Samaritan and speak through actions of caring and compassion. Be faithful providers of God’s Word.

Through God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy,

 Rob, Servant of God