Devotion: Term 4, Week 4
Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth US president, was known as a reserved man who spoke very little. One day, when a reporter attempted to interview him, the conversation went like this: Reporter: ‘Do you wish to say anything about the threat of war in Europe?’ Coolidge: ‘No.’ Reporter: ‘Do you have anything to say about the strike in the clothing factories?’ Coolidge: ‘No.’ Reporter: ‘Do you have anything to say about the League of Nations?’ Coolidge: ‘No.’ Reporter: ‘Would you care to comment on the farm production problem?’ Coolidge: ‘No.’ As the reporter was leaving the room, Coolidge unexpectedly called him back and said with a smile, ‘Don’t quote me!’
The Bible says, ‘For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. … A time to be quiet and a time to speak’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 NLT). Never allow yourself to be pressured into saying something you don’t want to say or get drawn in when you don’t feel like talking. Silence isn’t a lack of communication; it’s a form of communication and can be a very effective one! Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV) says, ‘A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.’ One thing is for sure, what you don’t say today, you won’t have to explain or apologise for tomorrow. If your tendency is to speak without thinking, or when you have nothing constructive to add, weigh the situation carefully and ask God for wisdom before deciding if you should speak or be quiet. Remember: ‘Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.’ (Proverbs 17:28 NKJV).
SoulFood: Isa 1-3 John 5:16-30 Ps 15 Pro 27:10-12
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024
One day when Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, was scheduled to preach to three hundred inmates at San Quentin prison, a lockdown was called and most of the prisoners were confined to their cells. To the few who were allowed to attend, Colson decided to go ahead and give the complete message he had prepared.
The Bible says, ‘… the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits’ (Daniel 11:32 NKJV). This Scripture is not a licence to be arrogant and insensitive to the feelings of others, or to have an overinflated opinion of yourself. It means that when you understand God’s Word, God’s ways, and God’s will, you will be confident in who you are and in what God has called you to do.
Sometimes the people who irritate and hurt us do so because they themselves are in pain. They’re dealing with issues we don’t know about.
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