When silence is not golden

Psalm 32:

1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. "Selah"

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. "Selah"

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

Verse 3 isn't speaking of just not talking -- David here is talking about when we choose to ignore our sin and leave it un-confessed before God. Sin that is not dealt with works death in us, spiritually.

Romans 5:

21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.

So, let's talk to God, tell him our sins, faults of character, bad habits, attitudes, and everything that wants to hide from the light of the Word. Let the Word shine in our hearts; His blood was shed for just such a purpose - to heal all our wounds and sins, making us pure and whole, covering us with garments of righteousness.

Ephesians 5:

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Please don't be afraid of the Lord's anger. All His anger was taken out on our Lord Jesus when he suffered on the cross for us. He is no longer angry with us, if we humbly come before Him in our weakness.

He will give you strength to overcome!

1 John 2:13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.

Psalm 32:11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Yes, rejoice, because you are clean!

Ministry from Every Place in Life

Every place you are in life - is exactly where you should be right now. This is your place to minister the love of Christ, to shine as light in the darkness, and to season the world around you.

Every place does not necessarily feel like a good place to be. You may have made a poor decision that got you into a hard place. Perhaps you even fell victim to a circumstance beyond your control, like an illness or loss of job. None of these means necessarily that you are outside of God's favor and blessing over your life. God can use and bless you anywhere you are!

Joseph was blessed by God in the prison, and forgotten by the very ones whom he helped using God's gift on his life.

Gen. 40:

14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.

15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."

The very place he was in - as unjust as it was - turned out to be the best place of all, because he saved an entire nation from starvation ... and ultimately, the very dreams that put him in harm's way became true.

Psalm 31:

8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.