PRIORITIZING MY FATHER’S HOUSE: THERE IS A TIME FOR SPEAKING & SILENCE (Thursday)

Jul 7, 2022
2 min read

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7, 16-17

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.

And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”

A time to tear reminds me of Old Testament priests tearing their garments in anguish and mourning. There was a reason for tearing; their hopes and dreams were dashed away. They were in mourning. I learn from this passage that there is a season for tearing. Just as I go through seasons of life, I will mourn during some of them.

When I mourn, there is a time for silence. The silence is so I don’t trip over my own emotions. In mourning, I go through stages, including disbelief and anger. If I concentrate on myself during this time, I cannot hear or feel God’s comfort. God longs to comfort me in my mourning.

In my silence, I hear God through His Word: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me…to comfort all who mourn” (Isaiah 61:1). These are the words I ache to hear to refresh my heart.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: After a time of mourning, there comes a time to mend. If my garments are torn, I must take time to mend them. And if my heart is torn, I must take time to mend it.

During a time of mending, there is also a time to speak. This is part of the healing process. I realize that through this process I have been judging and desiring justice. In my heart and in my thoughts, I have maintained a distance from God. But through the healing process, I find it was not my place to judge or provide justice—this is God’s role, not mine. God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked.

There will be a time for God to judge every deed—This is not my job, and I should not do it. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matt. 7:1). One thing I can do to heal my heart is to let go of the people who I have been judging. Letting go provides God the opportunity to open my eyes and show me how He is already at work in carrying out His purpose.

Lord, please guide and direct me today, so I know when I should rest in a time for speaking and a time for silence. During a time for silence, allow me to listen closely, so I can discern Your will inside my spirit. During a time for speaking, allow me to praise You for Your glory, Your grace, and Your goodness in my life. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman