Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

Daily Devotion:

Silence or Shout?

"The voice of rejoicing is in the tents of the righteous" (Psa 118:15)

"The Lord was not in the wind... the Lord was not in the earthquake ... the Lord was not in the fire... and after the fire a still small voice" (1 Ki 19:11-13). This is the passage usually quoted against shouting in worship. But then how do we explain the decent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost with a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire? (Acts 2:2,3). And later on the shaking of the place where the disciples were praying? (4:31).

Psalm 46 says, "Be silent and know that I am God" (v10). But Psalm 47 says, "Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" (v1). Yes, there's a time to be silent and a time to shout!

The organised religion will not be comfortable with shouting in worship. On the Palm Sunday when the multitude began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice, some Pharisees urged Jesus to rebuke His disciples. What an answer Jesus gave! "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out!" (Lk 19:37-40). Note the word "immediately." Had He not come from Heaven where silence is rare (Rev 8:1)?

The Book of Psalms was the songbook of the people of Israel. It repeatedly calls people to sing aloud and make a joyful shout (66:1; 81:1). When Solomon was crowned, the earth almost split with the joyful sound of people (1 Ki 1:39,40). Are we not crowning in worship the One greater than Solomon? The inauguration of the new dispensation was marked by joyful sound. What a noisy day Pentecost was (Acts 2:1-6)!

Both silence and shouting are expressions of our emotions. Each has its place. Those who are naturally expressive find it easy to lift up their voices in praise. People of the other type will hesitate a lot. But many of the second type have testified of the release when they got filled with the Holy Spirit. One should not condemn but encourage the other. Pentecostals should worship with non-Pentecostals wherever possible and vice versa. This will keep the feet of Pentecostals on level ground and help the non-Pentecostals soar high with wings! Learning to worship God both ways is maturity. Also we will be saved from empty shout and dead silence!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!

Heavenly portals, loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Saviour, reigneth for ever and ever;

Crown Him, Crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!

(Fanny J. Crosby, 1823-1915)

Prayer:

Prayer for Healing and Comfort

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your servants, and give your power of healings, that we may be strengthened in our weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.