CAC Living Water Daily Devotional For January 7, 2024 : Topic – BE CALM AND SILENT (1)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

DATE: Sunday, January 7, 2024

TOPIC: BE CALM AND SILENT (1)

MEMORISE : He who guards his mouth preserves his life; but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13:3).

READ: 1 Kings 19: 11-18

[11]. Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

[12]. and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

[13]. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

[14]. And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

[15]. Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.

[16]. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

[17]. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.

[18]. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

EXPOSITION

Calmness and silence imply self-control and discipline. Most people believe that anyone who is loud and outspoken is brave, wise, and intelligent. That is not always the case! According to the Bible, In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrain his lips is wise (Prov. 10:19). Once spoken, words are irreversible. This is the reason why we must learn to be quiet and composed in order to effectively control and manage our words. Silence allows for effective reasoning and focus, while calmness aids in the generation of good and productive ideas. Calmness is a source of strength. Remaining calm in the face of a crisis conserves energy and generates better strategies for you to deal with the situation. Calmness allows you to see things clearly and make wise decisions in a more plausible manner.

The account in 1 Kings 19:11-13 shows how the LORD instructed Elijah, Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD. A great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces, but the Lord was not in the wind; same with the earthquake and fire, until there was that still small voice. Elijah then heard the voice of the LORD God doesn’t operate in confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). So, learn the act of calmness and silence to walk with the Lord and apply His wisdom in all situations.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CAC GHB: 450

1. Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,

Waiting for Thy gracious word

Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;

Master! Let it now be heard.

I am list’ning, Lord, for thee;

What hast Thou to say to me?

2. Speak to me by name, O Master,

Let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster,

With a step more firm and free,

Where the shepherd leads the flock,

In the shadow of the Rock.

3. Master, speak! Though least and lowest,

Let me not unheard depart;

Master, speak! For o Thou knowest

All the yearning of my heart,

Knowest all its truest need;

Speak! And make me blest indeed.

4. Master, speak! And make me ready,

When Thy voice is truly heard,

With obedience glad and steady

Still to follow every word.

I am listening, Lord for thee;

Master, speak! O speak to me!

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. I receive grace to be self-disciplined and calm in the face of every challenge, in Jesus’ name.

2. Lord, help me to walk with You in the expected calmness and silence that would help me to benefit from Your treasures.

3. Pray for ministers of the gospel, that God will enable them to choose their words wisely.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Genesis 19, 20, 21