It’s day 5 of our Jericho walk, and I can see the bricks beginning to fall…
Today as I began to write, I thought about Mary…Jesus’ mother. Do you remember reading about how she pondered some things in her heart?
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
The shepherds spoke things they’d been told about Jesus by the angels, and after hearing them, she hid them away in her heart and sat on them, leaving time for God to speak to her more deeply…I would imagine. No matter what her motivation was, I sure do wish more of us would learn to ponder things in our hearts before we acted out. Don’t you?
I have been in a learning season the last few years, and one thing God has repeatedly been teaching me about is remaining quiet. Taking time to ponder things. Giving Him room to reveal things more deeply before I just spew everything out to the world. Some words from God need more time. Others should never be spoken aloud. Some are secrets. Are you trustworthy? Sometimes I am, and if I’m honest, sometimes I’m not very trustworthy toward Him. Man, I sure do try to shut my mouth, but it is hard. Because I’m a justice personality and have high levels of discernment, it can be really hard to keep quiet. But as I mature in my faith, I’m realizing that the quieter way is the wiser way.
All of this leads me to the next concept for our Jericho journey, being content.
You may be wondering what all the talk above has to do with being content, but if you’ll give me a minute I will explain.
When I hear from God, or He gives me a knowing or discernment, I must be content with whatever part He wants me to play. A word from God doesn’t always need to be spoken to others, just as I said earlier. Are you content enough to embrace that, or do you have a deeper and stronger emotion inside that makes it nigh impossible to stay quiet?
If you have that insatiable need to say everything He shows you, then undoubtedly you’re struggling with pride. Ouch, I said it. But it’s true. The times when we are not able to remain steadfast to His word by keeping quiet are because we want to be heard, or feel insecure or something, and all of that has a root of pride. Thinking people need us to tell them the truth all the time, and not allowing Holy Spirit to have room to speak to them and instruct them, is pride within us. God is all powerful, He doesn’t actually need us to get things done, but sometimes He lets us. We all must keep this in check.
Be content. Be content in knowing what He shows you. Be content in sharing only what He is saying without elaborating. Be content to be obedient no matter what everyone else is doing. Just be content.
This is a hard word, I know, but we are on the verge of watching these Jericho walls fall and now is the time for the hard words.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21
365 Days in the Presence 