Bible in One Year: Saturday, September 19, 2009 (Job 35 - Job 37) Memorise: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (Jas 1:26) Read: James 3:1-6 1 ¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. God may be silent because there is nothing to say. He does not waste words. Of the average 50,000 words you speak daily, you would be surprised that you do not need more than five or 10 percent of that daily. The rest could be unnecessary. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (Jas 1:26 ). Inability to apply proper control over your tongue could completely rubbish your Christian faith and turn it into mere religion. A talkative believer is at best deceiving himself. If you want to be holy, you must apply control over that tongue by force. This is the picture we are given here. Just as horses are bridled so also should our tongues. Learn to be quiet. Some believers are so flippant and lousy that they can hardly have 10 minutes of quietness. No wonder they are always wallowing in one sin or the other. Another reason God may be silent is because it is not time for Him to act. During the marriage in Cana recorded in John 2:1-11, when the wine ran out, Mary went to inform Jesus but He told her He was waiting for the right time. The time we think is most appropriate for an answer may not be so in God's sight. So He may not answer you until it's time. In John 11:1-15, Lazarus - one of the few the Bible calls beloved of the Lord was sick. His sisters who were strong supporters of Jesus' ministry sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to Him. He did not send any feedback to them. And He did not go. He was silent. Meanwhile, He confided in the 12 concerning the matter and that He had something cooking for Lazarus. On their part, Mary and Martha felt disappointed. How could their brother be ill and they informed the Lord but He kept mute? Jesus was silent on this account because responding may have been too premature. Sometimes, God waits until all human efforts are exhausted and all hopes dissipate. Until then, He may watch in silence and when you think nothing can be done, He intervenes. Has God been silent on you? Find out why. The Lord will intervene in your pressing situation. Some silence could be deliberate divine delays. Do not give up hope. Keep on trying, praying and making effort. Your answer will come. ACTION POINT: Lord give me the grace to know when to speak, what to say and when to keep quiet. Lead a soul to Christ today.