The Discipline Of Attention
At times, God subjects us to the discipline of darkness to instruct us to heed His guidance. Songbirds are instructed to sing in darkness, while we are placed under the shadow of God's hand until we learn to perceive Him. "What I convey to you in obscurity" - when God places you in darkness, be silent during that time. Are you now experiencing uncertainty in your circumstances or in your relationship with God? Subsequently, maintain silence. Speaking in darkness may lead to inappropriate expressions; it is a time for attentive listening.
Avoid discussing it with others; refrain from reading literature to uncover the cause of the gloom, but instead, listen and take heed. Engaging in conversation with others inhibits your ability to perceive God's messages. In darkness, listen attentively; God will impart a valuable lesson for someone upon your emergence into the light.
Following each period of darkness, there emerges a blend of daylight and humiliation; if solely delight prevails, I ponder whether we have truly perceived God's voice. There is joy in receiving divine communication, however primarily, there is humiliation—how prolonged was my experience of this! How tardy I have been in comprehending it! Nevertheless, God has been conveying this message throughout these days and weeks. He now bestows upon you the gift of humiliation, which cultivates a tender heart that is perpetually receptive to God's voice.
Matthew 10:27 (NIV) articulates:
*"What I convey to you in secrecy, articulate in the open; what is murmured in your ear, announce from the rooftops."*
Here are numerous salient aspects to ponder from this verse:
1. **Proclamation of Truth**: This verse underscores the significance of courageously disseminating the truth of God. What is disclosed or discerned in confidentiality should not remain concealed but should be publicly declared for all to acknowledge.
2. **Courage in Testimony**: Jesus urges His disciples to refrain from shame or fear in proclaiming the truth, regardless of potential personal sacrifice. The metaphor of "proclaiming from the rooftops" advocates for an unreserved public proclamation of faith.
3. **Divine Revelation**: The "dark" and "whispered" elements represent the intimate instances of enlightenment and discovery. This indicates that Jesus conveys wisdom and understanding to His disciples in personal contexts (such as prayer or silent contemplation), which should thereafter be disseminated to others.
4. **Courage in Faith**: The verse advocates for the bravery to articulate God's word, especially in uncomfortable or perilous circumstances. In ancient Israel, roofs served as significant locations, representing visibility and the audacity to express oneself openly.
5. **Absence of Fear Regarding Opposition**: The backdrop of Matthew 10 entails Jesus equipping His disciples for the adversities they will encounter, including persecution. This verse affirms their duty to articulate the truth boldly, irrespective of whatever opposition they may face.
6. **Public Impact of Revelation**: Instruction intended for private settings should not be confined; it is designed to influence the broader community. Disciples are entrusted with information and wisdom intended to exert a collective influence.
7. **Conformity to Divine Will**: This passage corresponds with the exhortation for believers to act in accordance with God's will and purpose, wherein their acts and words transcend personal intent and contribute to God's overarching mission for the world.
Each of these arguments underscores the audacious, unflinching, and overt nature of disseminating the truth and wisdom derived from God, affirming that the believer's job is to illuminate the world rather than conceal it.
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