BLESSED QUIETNESS

 BLESSED QUIETNESS

As I again sit here and asking the Lord what I can bring to you today.  The news headlines have been very troublesome lately and the world seems to be getting darker with terrorist threats and the horrible murders of our fellow believers in Jesus.  My heart has been heavy and sought the Lord as to what He would have me share with you today.  I read an article from a noted evangelist stating to be prepared as “A Storm is Coming.”

 Are you ready for those storms as this earth seems to be winding down, getting ready for the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Many, many people, especially in Mideast countries and other places are coming to Jesus.  The enemy knows he has but a short time and as my pastor stated to me: “The enemy has his back up against the wall.”  He is angry and on the rampage it seems.  So where do we run in these times?  We run to those quiet places with Jesus, where the Holy Spirit brings His comfort and peace, for the Comforter has come.

On the stormy Sea of Galilee, Jesus commanded the winds and waves, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39, KJV), and immediately there was calm.  Later in the upper room, as Jesus told His disciples that He would leave them, He promised them the Holy Spirit and peace.

Manie Payne, born in Carlow, Ireland, was a Christian, but she did not know peace.  She struggled with her sinful nature until she began to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is the “blessed quietness” that she wrote about.  Now, she was so happy she could hardly contain herself.  Indeed, joy was flowing like a river in her life.  Later she married T.P. Ferguson and founded Peniel Missions, with branches in Egypt, China, and the United States.  (“Hymns” by Petersen).

BLESSED QUIETNESS

Joys are flowing like a river since the Comforter has come.  He abides with us forever, makes the trusting heart His home.

Blessed quietness, holy quietness, what assurance in my soul! On the stormy sea He speaks peace to me, how the billows cease to roll.

Bringing life and health and gladness all around this heav’nly Guest, banished unbelief and sadness, changed our weariness to rest.

Like the rain that falls from heaven, like the sunlight from the sky, so Holy Ghost is given, coming on us from on high.

See a fruitful field is growing, blessed fruit of righteousness; and the streams of life are flowing in the lonely wilderness.

What a wonderful salvation, where we always see His face! What a perfect habitation, what a quiet resting place.  Manie Payne Ferguson (1850-1932).

Yes, the Comforter has come speaking peace to His people.  As we walk this path with Jesus, these storms will come upon us and as I stated earlier, the storms coming in this world can bring terror to our hearts, but He comes and abides with us forever.  And when we simply put our trust in Him, He makes our heart His home.  The Comforter has come, and He is the one who brings that blessed quietness.

This world is a noisy place.  I find it so being hearing impaired and my hearing is distorted sometimes, and I can’t understand what people say, all I hear is a roar of noise, so I have found I need some “blessed quietness.”  I need a place where the distractions of the world are stilled and I can listen for the sweet Holy Spirit to come.

And as we hear the news reports or read the papers, we need to run to that blessed place of quietness with our Lord.  There He banishes unbelief and sadness, bringing joy to our hearts.  And sometimes He comes down like rain, or the warm sunshine.  As I minister in the nursing home I have seen the joy that comes into a face when He comes to bring them comfort.  I have seen the light come on in weary faces when I touch them in the Name of Jesus.  Oh, such joy!

Oh, but we have assurance in these days of terror and strife and struggles in our own lives.  Because of Jesus and His love for us and His sacrifice on the cross we have assurance of His wonderful salvation, the assurance of His presence within our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit. And we have assurance that someday He is coming again in clouds of glory.  Oh, what a wonderful day!  We have assurance in the fact that when we die and go home to be with Him that “to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (II Corinthians 5:8).  There is so much to say here, I couldn’t begin to share the wonderful assurances we have, by faith, in our Lord Jesus.

So when those billows roll around us, we look to Jesus to calm the storm and bring peace to the waves of conflict around us.  We see fear and dread coming upon this world, we look to Jesus and to a place of Holy Quietness deep within our souls.  Do you have that peace, my friends?  Come to Him and simply ask Him to come into your heart and life, repenting of your sins.  And then thank Him for the cross and for giving us new life in Him, in the name of Jesus.

Pastor Sharon