“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 KJV) Some people go through life thinking that they’re doing all they can to stand in His way of truth and righteousness. I’ve heard many people stating, “I’m doing all I can and yet I don’t see Him anywhere!”
Years ago, while employed at a nursing home, there were many wicked tongues that stayed busy during the day. It was slander, gossip and malicious inane nonsense that dripped from their deceitful mouths. One of the individuals that was the “target” of their gossip used to visit my office and cry, “I’ve done nothing of which they are accusing me. I feel like God has deserted me, where is He in all of this?” I would listen, and offer counsel…and try to encourage this person in the word. I would employ this person to pray and realize that everything was in God’s hands. That God was in control at all times. In my counseling, I’d bring about words from the Father, such as:”No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, said the LORD.”(Isaiah 54:17) And although this person would listen and it would witness in her heart, she wasn’t completely sure. There was a semblance of doubt. I also pointed out that “God protects us in everything.”
When Jesus went to raise the “little girl from the dead” – He made sure that ALL of the unbelievers and doubters were removed prior to His miraculous deed. Jesus didn’t want anyone there that didn’t believe fully, one hundred percent. And, so is the case today. We need to believe fully and completely, knowing that GOD is in FULL CONTROL. He is the master of life.
This individual was truly hurting. Gossip is a destroyer, and truly doesn’t come from God…in fact, quite from the antithesis of such. And many of these people were pretending to be her friend. The hypocrites would spread slander daily. But, I told her to hang-in there, be still and let God do His work that ultimately will prevail setting things right.
“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9 KJV)
You see, although the hypocrite spreads slander, the just are delivered through their own knowledge and that of their acquaintances. Those who know them realize the slander is untrue.
People who spread vicious lies do not go unnoticed by the LORD, He watches and sees the seeds of the destroyer…Deceitful work will give way to insubstantial, and deceptive wages.
People empty of GOD spread such lies. The word for empty in Hebrew is “sheqer”. But, those will rejoice in the LORD shall have their reward, the Hebrew word for reward, “Seker.” And rewards are plenty for the righteous.
Eventually, within the year that person was vindicated by the LORD. The people spreading the vicious lies were fired. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t due to their outrageous and outwardly disgraceful actions, but due to “poor performance” of duties overall. It was determined they lacked the necessary experience that went with their job descriptions. Accident? NO. God’s hands…yes!
It turned out as expected for those who believe. The righteous, as was the case with this individual was good. Her desire in her role at work, was to do good to others, and it turns out well for those she touched, due to her “inner light.”
The wicked, intended to “destroy” and harm others, and their only expectation for the future was ultimately “wrath upon themselves” due to their behavior. And, the seeds in which they spread came back in abundance. That which they sowed they had reaped, and an abrupt dismissal was their “reward.”
As for the person, with the vicious lies, she received a promotion, and thrived there for many years until her retirement. Once again, God is ALIVE and in control. Faith, perseverance, and HIS WORD are our weapons of defense, and our ultimate reward (seker). After a person accomplishes good things threough his words, good in turn will provide a reward for him. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. (Proverbs 13:2)
Let your light go forth to all those in your path. The light of the just will shine, as it was intended, “The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.” (Proverbs 13:2 KJV).
God is watching, keeping score in His book of life. He knows all, sees all, and loves His children beyond our scope of understanding. So, remember…if we exchange in idle “gossip” chit-chat, although we might not be “saying” it, if we are “listening” we are just as guilty. And, God is witnessing that exchange.
Spread seeds of joy, ones that will bear good fruit. And, keep your light on, twenty-four-seven…
“Your light is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path…” Psalms 119:105 (KJV)
Psalms 17:1-15 (KJV)
17 Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Many thanks to Scott Birge for his picture~