“…I am so troubled that I cannot speak.” (Psalm 77:4)
We are not naturally “slow to speak.” We are antsy to solve things. Our quick action and hasty speech though only makes things worse. Temperance is needed if we are to frame a proper response to any situation.
The Lord knows our tendency to get ahead of Him. He sees the latent “hot-head” in the meekest of men. Under great pressure, even Moses blew his top, and “spake unadvisedly with his lips.” (Ps. 106:33)
What must God do to curb hastiness of spirit in even His choicest saints? He must bring us to our “wit’s end.” (Ps. 107:27) The storm must be great enough to thoroughly humble us. There is no commanding the wind and waves to stop. We realize our physical and mental powers are ineffectual.
When God chastens us He weakens both our body and our brain. He brings us to an end of ourselves. For sure, there is an evil “giving up;” but there is also a holy resignation – a time for us to say, “Lord, I give up. I cannot solve or straighten this out. It is too big for me.” But humility should always lead to faith. We go on: “Please Lord, help me. I don’t want to do or say a thing without You. Arise, in Your own power and wisdom to bring all things into Your order.”
While we are patiently waiting on the Lord others may find fault with our inaction. We may appear to have abdicated our responsibility. But if our weakness is a prelude to gaining God’s strength; and if our ignorance prepares us to receive God’s wisdom, then we should very gladly wear the stigma of the meek. Some things are better left completely in God’s hands. He charges us to be quiet in every way.
A meeker one than Moses walked among us. He was dumb before His shearers. He was crucified in weakness. Let us follow Him into God’s rest.