December: Trials and PainThe devil, things and people being what they are, it is necessary forGod to use the hammer, the file and the furnace in His holy work ofpreparing a saint for true sainthood. It is doubtful whether God canbless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.The Root of the Righteous, 157.December 15Trials and Pain: The Back Side of the DesertNow Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, thepriest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert,and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.--Exodus 3:1We should quickly review here the kinds of preparation Moses hadgone through for his leadership role under God. Reared inPharaoh's palace, he had been educated in all the wisdom of theEgyptians. He had the prerequisites for almost any kind ofcareer. In our day a man with his qualifications would be soughtfor election as a bishop or the president of any of the greatchurch denominations.Then, too, Moses had a most unusual but highly effectivepostgraduate course. God took him out of the activity and thenoise of Egypt and placed him in the silence of the open spaces.He kept the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. Tending thesheep, he learned lessons of meditation and observation that hecould only have learned in the silence.Probably more important than anything else, Moses learned to knowhimself. That knowledge was a part of God's preparation of theman for his future tasks. We, today, know everything butourselves. We never really come to know ourselves because wecannot get quiet enough. Men Who Met God, p. 70"Lord, I pray this morning for the hurting pastor who islanguishing in 'the silence of the open spaces,' on the back sideof the desert. Encourage him; instruct him; then show Him how Youcan use him mightily in Your way and in Your time. Amen."
QUOTE:"God took him out of the activity and thenoise of Egypt and placed him in the silence of the open spaces."Excellent point, mama. There is so much to be learned in the silence. What do we feel when in it? Is it confusion? Is it delight in meditating on the WORD?Seems to me that one of the tragedies of modern life is noise. It does interfere with creative thinking, communing with God...silence is to be welcomed - it is soft and comforting - so much to be learned in the silence.Someone has suggested one of the major reasons so many want to fill their silences with 'music' is to drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit. How is it with me? with you?This topic reminds me of a song and here are the lyrics:GOD IS WAITING IN THE SILENCEby Oswald J. Smith1.God is waiting in the silenceFor a heart that he can fill,He must find it cleansed and emptyWith a spirit calm and still.CHORUSGod is waiting in the silenceOh, to know that He is nearEarth recedes and heaven opensGod is waiting, God is here.2. God is waiting in the silenceMid the rush and roar of lifeWaiting someone's heart to enterSomeone quiet in the strife.3. God is waiting in the silenceAs the world goes rushing byWill not someone stop and listenAnswer quickly, "Here am I?"
_________________Sandra Miller