Manna for Your Morning

Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in Judean, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. Thus says the king, ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you from his hand; and do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” — 2 Kings 18:28-30 (LSB) But the people kept silent and did not answer him, for the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.” (2 Kings 18:36 AMP) When the enemy throws fiery darts of threats and insults your way, hold your peace. Sometimes, the best approach is to remain silent. Instead of conversing with the enemy, take it to God. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says: there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Remain silent and listen for the still small voice of the LORD. The Word of God carries more weight than any other voice. In response to the king of Assyria’s threats, Hezekiah sought the LORD in prayer...

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. — Psalm 42:5b AMP Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! (Psalm 27:14 TPT) For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him. (Psalm 62:5 AMP) …I will wait and hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14 AMP)

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? — Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB) For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; my fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged. (Psalm 62:5-6 AMP)  God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him. Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! Pause in his presence (Psalm 62:7-8 TPT) So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for living before his face is my saving grace! — Psalm 42:5 (TPT)

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” — Matthew 20:30-31 (NLT) So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. (Matthew 20:32-34 NKJV) Don’t let the crowd silence you. Cry out to the Lord and He will answer you. He is full of compassion. Continually seek His face and He will be found by you. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:6 NKJV)

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”   — Mark 10:47-48 (NLT) When the world tries to silence you, lift up your voice all the more, to our mighty God. When the circumstances you encounter leave you speechless, cry out to our living God. He is abundant in mercy to all those who call upon Him (Psalm 86:6 NKJV). The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17). Cry out with your whole heart. Psalm 56:9 says, when you cry out to the LORD, then your enemies will turn back because God is for you. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. (Psalm 34:15 NKJV)

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.  — 1 Peter 2:21-23 (MSG) When others do us wrong, our inclination is defend ourselves or strike back, instead may we be content to let God set things right in our lives. May we love God and put our time and attention into fulfilling the purpose to which He has called us.  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASB)

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. — Revelation 8:4 (NKJV) First Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) tells us to pray without ceasing. Our prayers go up before God, like a sweet smelling incense. “For the eyes of the LORD are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer)…” Never let adverse circumstances or lies of the enemy silence your voice to your heavenly Father. Cry out to Him day and night. Engage in a continual conversation with Abba Father. As Colossians 4:2 (NLT) says, devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. He is faithful answer, so wait with expectancy. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. (Psalm 143:1 NKJV)

When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people warned the blind man to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Mark 10:47-48 (NCV) The crowd tried to silence Blind Bartimaeus, but he cried out all the more and received his sight. Had he listened to those around him, Bartimaeus, would have remained blind. It's important for us to know which voices to listen to and which ones to ignore. Don’t let the enemy of your soul, silence you from calling out to God and cause you to miss out on your blessing. Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV), tells us to call to the LORD, and He will answer us, and show us great and mighty things, which we do not know.

While Jesus was up on a mountain praying, Peter, John, and James fell asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and Moses and Elijah standing with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t know what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them. They were frightened as they went into the cloud. A voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” — Luke 9:34-35 (GW)  Sometimes, out of a need to fill the silence, we babble on like Peter. Let us tune in and listen to the voice of the Lord. May we listen not only with our ears, but also with our hearts that we may gain understanding.

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11a-13 (NLT) Sometimes the suffering of a friend is too great for words and we put off calling because we don't know what to say. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Your presence alone will support and comfort a friend in the midst of a trial. May God, help us to be real friends who stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and be there for a friend in need.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way: Lamentations 3:28-33 (The Message) In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When life is heavy and hard, don't let it get you down. In Jesus, we have overcome. When trouble comes, be still and sit in silence, seek God in prayer and renew your hope in the loyal love of God. Love, Jackie