STUDY TO BE QUIET (1)

TOPIC: STUDY TO BE QUIET (1)
TEXT: LUKE 2:8-19
MEMORY VERSE: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you“ - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

When I stumbled on 1 Thessalonians 4:11 during my travel through the Scriptures early this year, I pause to ask myself “how can one study to be quiet” even when the same Scripture says, “study to show yourself approved”; though I understand the two scriptures are not contradicting. In a world where you must show what you carry, in an age when to even defend oneself, many take short courses on communication skills, appoint senior adviser on media, senior special assistant on public relations, senior special assistant on new media and so on. Just for people to know that they are on top of their game, but the Scripture is teaching otherwise, to be ambitious in keeping quiet.

In this age, we are quick to share what is on our mind. Many have cut short his/her destiny because such talk too much. There is nothing they cannot share, common goal they share it with those who love or hate them. Ordinary dream of seeing themselves in a glorious future has put many into bondage for life, due to talkativeness. Many people do not have mind to keep things, they must share it and when they share, they do not know the mind of other people, before you know they are on a spot, not knowing why they are battling with life, from one challenge to the other.

When those shepherds had seen the born king, they broadcasted what was told concerning the Child Jesus and other people around wondered at those sayings but Mary the mother of Jesus kept all the things, and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:17-19). Many of us have leaking hearts, as we store whatever we have it comes out through our mouth. A lot of Christians did not have evidence of prayer life because they talk too much. Some have talked to their enemies unknown to them and many believers are their own enemy.

The Virgin Mary made all those sayings the matter of her private meditation. She said little, but kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. She laid the evidences together, and kept them in reserve, to be compared with the discoveries that should afterwards be made her. As she had silently left it to God to clear up her virtue, when that was suspected, so she silently leaves it to him to publish her honour, now when it was veiled; and it is satisfaction enough to find that, if no one else takes notice of the birth of her child, angels do. Note, the Truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the way to keep them safe is to ponder them. Meditation is the best help to memory.

Word Affirmation: “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people." - Psalm 3:8 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“ The Truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the way to keep them safe is to ponder them. Meditation is the best help to memory. "

MIND THIS