“It’s OK to Be a Wise Guy”, Wisdom Series, Session 4
RF, February 2, 2020
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ME During 1990-1991 Alba and I were seeking the Lord about leaving our church where we had been for almost 19 years and moving to a new place of ministry. God had been quite clear about our leaving, “the what”, and the reason for our leaving, “the why”, but was quite silent about “the when” and “the where”. For almost a year we sought God’s direction, but nothing came. I began to despair that His answer would never come. I would never make a major move in my life unless I had a promise from Scripture. I read; I searched; nothing came. Driving to El Paso from Colorado one day I saw this verse on a church sign along the freeway:
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
This became my word, my direction, until such time as God’s direction became clear.
WE Maybe you have had a similar experience or are going through one right now. It can be excruciating. You are willing, but do not know “the what”, “the when”, or “the where”. Perhaps the most troubling of all the questions is ‘the why”. Today let’s talk about some wise things to do when God is not talking.
GOD We have been talking about wisdom for the past several weeks. Last week we started looking at wisdom from Job, a book about suffering and the sovereignty of God. Job had lost his family, his possessions, his health, and his wife was not much help. He was isolated because of his sickness and God was not talking. He was nowhere to be found. In fact, God doesn’t speak to Job until chapter 38! How did Job respond? What can we learn from what he did or didn’t do.
TEXT Job 2:11–13 (NKJV) Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
We do not know how old Job was or how long his suffering lasted. We do know that it lasted longer than a week. His friends had to hear about his plight, make plans, and then travel to see him. He was in such bad condition they did not recognize him and began to mourn for him. Then they sat with him for an entire week, saying nothing.
Observation: Sometimes when people are hurting, the best thing you can do is just be with them. This is called the “ministry of presence”. You don’t have to say anything. As we will see in the book, the friends all spoke and missed it; they were not speaking from God!
Let me share with you some things I have learned about the “ministry of presence”.
1. Not everyone wants company. In that case, my presence is not helpful. I have learned to first find out if people want a visit and when is a good time to come.
2. I keep my visits short. If folks want me to stay longer, they will ask me.
3. I don’t feel I have to always say something spiritual. I don’t try to give an answer to “the why” question. It came as a great relief to me when I realized I didn’t have to have an answer for every question or problem.
On the way to visit, I always ask the Lord what He would like me to share, if anything. As my pastor taught me, “Sense the mood and trust the gift.” Scriptures will come to me as we visit.
Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
We have the ability to bring God’s Presence into the situation.
4. I usually pray, though not always. When I do pray, I try to find the level of faith in the room. I may ask, “What do you want me to pray for?” This could range from pain relief to total healing.
5. Always look for some practical way to help.
Now these principles do not necessarily apply in an emergency or crisis situation. On my way to one of these I ask the Lord what He wants to do. If I know the will of God in a situation, it helps me minister in the room.
Illustration: Alba in ER, in critical condition….
YOU Now let’s look at how Job responded to his suffering… Job 3…
Ask yourself, “ Are any of these attitudes are in my heart?”
Job 3:1 (NKJV) After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.
1. Job is living with regret.
Job 3:23 (NKJV) Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in?
2. Job is living with blame.
Job 3:25 (NKJV) For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.
3. Job is living with fear.
Job 3:26 (NKJV) I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.”
4. Job is living with worry.
One thing we see here: Pain can be revealing!
Illustration: Gary, cancer revealed attitudes and actions to be made right…
WE What can we do when God is silent? Seven things to try…
1. Draw near to God
James 4:6-10 (NKJV) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
2. Don’t talk too much!
Lamentations 3:25–29 (NKJV) The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. 28 Let him sit alone and keep silent, Because God has laid it on him; 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust— There may yet be hope.
Jesus suffered in silence…
Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV) He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
1 Peter 2:21–23 (NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Illustration: Bird flying south too late…
3. Read the Word
Job 23:12 (NKJV) I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV) Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
4. Be careful who you listen to.
Jeremiah 15:17 (NKJV) I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, for You have filled me with indignation.
5. Bring your obedience up to date.
2 Kings 6:5-7 (NKJV) But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
6. Don’t make something up
Isaiah 50:10–11 (NKJV) “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord And rely upon his God. 11 Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled— This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.
7. Cry out to God
Psalms 28:1-2 (NKJV) To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
James 5:13 (NKJV) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…
CLOSING
Moving
from Ft. Hancock…
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