Silence The Noise
Praise is the purest language of God's chosen people.
“The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over your head.” Jephthah answered, “I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn’t save me out of their hands. When I saw that you wouldn’t help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?” Jephthah led Israel six years."
Judges 12:1-3, 7-15
The Ephraimites couldn't keep their pride from causing their downfall. They had to open their mouths and cause problems with their neighbors. Why? Why would they care if someone else chose to do good and fight back against the Ammonites on their own? What are the causes of our quarrels? What are the reasons why we get self-righteous? Pride is a powerful motivator, but often leads us on the path to doing the wrong thing.
Have you ever picked a fight? Maybe not physically, but have you ever started a war of words? Have you ever been part of one? The truth about going into battle is everyone ends up wounded. No one comes out unscathed. How will you use the words within you today? Will you use them to build up, encourage, and strengthen others? Will you use them to praise God? Or will you use them to prolong offense, further unforgiveness, and gossip about God's children?
“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
Psalms 73:1-7, 12, 21-26, 28
Jesus said blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Do you want to see God better? Do you want to hear His voice more or more clearly? The psalmist says God is good to those who are pure in heart. Then in a moment of honesty the author confesses how far from pure in heart he has been. He says how he has envied the evil and longed for their luxurious lives. Do you ever get caught in the trap of comparison or envy? Do you ever wonder why some people seem to do what is wrong but reap prosperity?
It is not wrong to have those thoughts. It is quite natural to have fleshly desires considering we are people who live in the flesh. The question is how we ascend towards the Almighty and move beyond the desires of the flesh. Paul says to take every thought captive. He does not say don't have thoughts of temptation. He says do not give in to them. It is important to be honest before God because He already knows and only when we are honest experience the hope that comes from healing. The psalmist is aware in his moment of weakness that his thoughts do not align with God's will. He holds up his thoughts to the light of truth and sees how temporary the things of the world are. He declares earth has nothing I desire more than you God. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
The process we see unfold in this psalm is confession, repentance, then transformation. It is being honest about how we are thinking, holding those thoughts up to the light of truth, then living out the transformation God has for us as we walk in His ways by aligning our thoughts with His thoughts.
“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Proverbs 19:1, 4, 8, 11, 16-18, 21, 23
Words have a way of impacting us and influencing the direction of our lives in a very unique way. Words can be like gum on a sole of a shoe, quite difficult to remove once they get in us. Solomon speaks about learning to silence the noise and speak the truth in love. He gives sound advice for how to live with a free heart and be a person whose relationships are fruitful.
Solomon compares walking blamelessly with perverse words. At first glance that might not seem like an obvious contrast, but it our words that reveal our hearts. The blameless walk is one that is prudent and whose words reveal purity of heart. Solomon patience and avoiding personal offense is something we all need to put into practice. We live in a very offended world. Offense is everywhere and the root word of offense is like a bear trap. It is something that if you step in it, you can really get stuck.
Solomon furthers the discussion on offense by showing how offense is not keeping God's commandments. Jesus said as you have forgiven others you will be forgiven. Do you want God to forgive you of all the things that have offended Him? How could a person of faith ever have offense? This teaching does not mean you will not have an offended thought. It means you will not step into the trap and get stuck. Remember confession, repentance, and transformation when someone does something offensive.
Solomon says give discipline as a gift to the one you loves and generously give to those in need. Many parents have a tough time with discipline. They want to be friends with their children and do not like have difficult conversations. God says do not be a willing party to their death. Avoiding discipline is the most unloving thing you can do because it will lead the child to a place of greater pain. The bible says God disciplines the one He loves and so should we. Do you see discipline as gift? Do you know of anyone in need who could use your generosity?
“A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness. The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: “You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.” Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”
Nahum 1:1, 3, 7-8
Do you remember the story of Jonah and the whale? He was running from God because he did not want to warn Nineveh. He got made when God was gracious to the people of Nineveh who repented at the warning. Jonah was written well before Nahum so it is important to keep in mind that the judgment that comes from God is after He sent Jonah to warn them to change their ways.
The most likely issue that occurred in the town was that the people who were made to worship God turned away like what was described in the psalm and in proverbs. Nineveh was not a small town on the outskirts. At one time it was the capital of the Assyrian empire. Think Washington D.C. This was a place that was prosperous, powerful, and full of people. It was massive and money flowed through the city. It was wealthy, but lacked wisdom. Can you understand why the city ended up in ruins?
God gave them a word of warning then told them of the day of judgment. In his judgment he shares the reasons why they were guilty and it starts with hearts that were unfaithful to God by worshipping idols and images. If we are not careful, we could end up a lot like Nineveh. We live in a country full of wealth and it is easy to end up desiring the things of this world. Jesus said blessed are the pure in heart. Our hearts can be corrupted like Nineveh by idols like by prosperity, possessions, pride, and power. Nahum contrasts the evil ways with righteous words. He says the one who will be kept safe is the one who brings good news and proclaims the peace. You cannot give what you do not have, so the person proclaiming peace has to have found the gift of peace with God.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:1-3, 9-13, 15-17, 25
Before you can know how to live, you have to know who you are. Peter wants to make it clear that your identity is royal priest and a chosen child of God. Is this how you would describe yourself? If someone asked you who you are, is that part of what is printed on your heart? Peter experienced transformation in his own life. He is speaking out of experience. He remembers what it was to be Simon. Simon was a prideful man who was quick to pick a fight. He was a man of action but it was his pride that caused him to deny Christ only hours after cutting off a soldier's ear. Peter knows that being Simon was not his identity. Jesus called him Petros, or rock, and said on this rock I will build my church. Jesus modeled what Solomon said by being patient with Peter and overlooking the offense of betrayal. Jesus came to redeem, restore, and resurrect us out of the worldly life.
What has Peter learned? He is likely speaking out of his own experience. He is sharing his story and what he says carries weight because he has found what it means to be a royal priest. He says cleanse your heart and let your heart reflect Christ. How many people claim Christ as Savior but curse the people around them? This is exactly what Peter is preaching against. He says don't envy, slander, or gossip. He says be aware of how easily your sinful desires can corrupt your heart and only a pure heart can properly serve as a royal priest. Think about how personal the statement is that Peter makes about returning to the Shepherd. Peter denied Jesus three times, only to have Jesus restore him with three questions.
Jesus said Peter do you love me. Three times He asked this question and then each time changed Peter's focus from how he was feeling to what he was called to do. Jesus told Peter to feed lambs and sheep and care for the flock. Jesus says the same thing to us. As His royal priests, our calling is to look up and out. He wants us to know we are loved and out of that love see how we can bring love to others. It starts with how we use the gift of our words. How will your words reflect your heart? The invitation is to respond like the psalmist and let our hearts desire be to draw closer to God. What would happen if every word that we allowed to escape our lips pointed others to Christ? The world would be a better place.