Daily Devotional for April 13, 2021

Last Sunday, I was on vacation, so Pastor Kit preached the sermon in the worship services.  He did a magnificent job.

Monday morning, Lucia explained she had missed church because she was in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex attending her grandchildren’s track meet.  I told her she had missed the greatest sermon our church has heard in a long time.

Lucia said, “You always say something like that after you preach.”

I said, “I didn’t preach the sermon.  Pastor Kit did.”

Suddenly, Lucia became very animated and said, “Oh no, I hate to miss Pastor Kit’s sermon.” 

I said, “You don’t hate to miss mine?”

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.  Lucia didn’t say a word.  There was nothing but dead silence.  This got me thinking. 

No matter what Lucia said, she would have been wrong.  The right response was silence.

The same could be said if you walked up to a friend and said, “Are you still beating your spouse?” 

“Yes” would be wrong.  “No” would be wrong.  Silence would be right.

The Bible is clear on the power of silence.  The wisest of all people said:

• “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”  (Proverbs 17:28)
• A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.”  (Proverbs 29:11)
• “Transgression is at work where people talk too much, but anyone who holds his tongue is prudent.”  (Proverbs 10:19)

I genuinely believe the world would be a much better place if angry spouses, infuriated parents, entitled teens, frustrated teachers, politicians, and sermon critics would practice the art of silence.  That would prove the saying, “Silence is golden.”

So, the next time you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind, telling them how the cow ate the cabbage, or setting them straight, think of the value of remaining silent.

It worked for Lucia.  It will work for you.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, teach me the value of silence.  Please use the words I speak to bring healing and peace to this troubled world.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Now that I’ve had a moment to think through the importance of silence, I see Sunday mornings very differently.

On Sundays, whenever our organist, Dr. Bradley, our accompanist, Sam, our Director of Music, Craig, or our wonderful choir performs a musical piece, the sanctuary erupts in loud applause.  But when I stand up to preach – crickets.

I used to be offended but now I know the congregation’s deafening silence is a compliment.

Silence is awesome.

That makes me feel much better.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins