When?

 "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3:26

The word salvation in this verse means:

•rescue

•deliverance

•help

•safety, and

•victory

But did you notice that in order to reap those results, we must first hope and quietly wait for the LORD.

Not always easy to do.

I recently spoke with a dear friend of mine and I confessed that I was growing weary in the battle.  Weary from health issues, situations, circumstances, other people.  It's easy to grow weary when you constantly give, and it seems like nothing is returned, after all, God tells us that we will reap what we sow.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9

As we continued to talk, we suddenly looked at each other as if a light bulb just went on in minds.  (I love that when that happens!)  Yes, we will surely reap what we sow.... but in due season.  Reaping will be in God's Timing.  We might reap in this lifetime here on earth, or it may be part of our heavenly rewards; that is up to God, not us.  Our part is to just keep on keeping on.

My Pastor, Josh Fryman, recently preached on the hope that Jeremiah had.  He reminded me that when we grieve without hope, that is despair, but when we remember GOD, we will always have HOPE. He reminded me that I can have affliction in my situations and my body, but in my soul, I have HOPE!

Just like Jeremiah remembered.

"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations 3:24

The LORD is my portion, my inheritance and He is enough!

I will always have God.

It might seem like we are not reaping what we are sowing...

    But we are...

        And it will be revealed to us soon enough...just don't quit!

            But that's just me!

"There are times when the only thing a sufferer can do is wait for God. But waiting is good because God is worth waiting for." Ryken

What Would You Do?

"Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;" Proverbs 2:11-12

There is a TV Show called, What Would You Do? It's a show that uses actors to stage ethical dilemmas in public to see how bystanders react.  I was put in that situation yesterday morning.  I had walked into the Office of my local Post Office to retrieve a package where I found myself standing behind a man who stood at least 6'4 and was belligerently bullying our Postmaster.  I couldn't believe that I was witnessing such behavior and listening to such hate speech.  I don't know how long this had been going on before I had gotten there, but it continued for an additional five minutes or longer.  As I listened to his complaint and the calm soft answers from our Postmaster, I began to pray.  "Lord, should I step in and say something, or will this man, knowing that I'm standing behind him in line, feel ashamed enough to stop ranting and leave?" As I prayed, another man entered into the Office.  As this bully in front of me continued to belittle, accuse and shame our Postmaster, I turned to the man behind me and looked at him with a questioning look, "What should we do?"  By that time, this man's complaint had now turned into threats.  As I began to open my mouth, our Postmaster said, "And on that note I will ask you to leave."  This bully left the Office but not silently.  I was stunned.  As I approached the counter and our Postmaster turned to retrieve my packages, I told her how sorry I was that she had to endure all of that.  She began to cry.  I immediately walked behind the counter and hugged her until she finished crying. (that is a benefit of living in a small town) I told her that she handled this man with kindness and professionalism that he did not deserve and told her that she needed to write an Incident Report concerning this situation immediately.  As I was leaving, she assured me that she would and that she was OK.

I knew the Lord answered my prayer to remain quiet during battle, and to speak words of comfort in the brokenness.  There have been times in the past when I have spoken up in the battle, and there will be times in the future I will be prompted by the Lord to speak up as well, but yesterday, I was to remain silent.  

Ecclesiastes 3:7b says, "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

Discernment and discretion are needed in the battle...

    Make sure you know when to keep silent, and when to speak...

        It will make a difference in the outcome...

            But that's just me!

"Silence is not weakness, it is wisdom at rest." Amish Proverb