Day 22 Through the Noise

 

1/22/2026

 "Let it be your business every day, in the secrecy of the

inner chamber, to meet the 

Holy God. You will be

repaid for the trouble it may cost you. 

The reward will be sure and rich."

Andrew Murray

 

My day began very early with the sound of feet pitter-pattering on my roof top. I looked out my window and saw men scurrying around, laying tarps on the ground, pulling ladders off their truck, busying themselves with covering the ground and bushes so the debris would not litter the ground. The day of waiting was over, and the men had come to put on my new roof. We had been instructed not to speak to the workers, to direct any questions to the office, or to speak to the crew supervisor. I was obedient, although I would have been able to speak to the workers, as I speak Spanish! Nonetheless, I waited, watched, and learned to adjust in order to participate in the global prayer call meeting and eventually finished preparing for my group study in the evening. The phone seemed to ring incessantly today, plus I had more than the usual text messages and instant messages. The "noise" was becoming deafening, but not from the work being done.

 

I've been participating in a fast with a local church, praying for the sins of our State, our nation, and our world, beginning with my own shortcomings. Believe me, I have plenty as I struggled through the day with all the activity. For months now I have been deliberately minimizing the emails that I open, because although I have reputable, Christian news and ministries, it becomes discouraging with all that happens in a day around the world. Not to mention the requests that I receive for prayer and financial support. It breaks my heart when I cannot assist tangibly. Since I retired many things have changed, but God does have me involved in the intercessory prayer ministry, and I am grateful to stand on the wall with others. I've been involved with intersession since I was very young, but with  progress comes excess. I was happy to see that the church I mentioned earlier was fasting social media, as that has been my idea for a very long time. I really am not one who sits and scrolls, and I am definitely careful whose information I read. Thankfully, God has given me an extensive education on watching out for false prophets, not that it's hard to miss if one is reading their Bible daily and seeking the Lord's counsel rather than that of man. Even so, I don't really do social media. Facebook for me is not a show and tell in the social sense, rather it is my podium for things that bring glory to God, and I use it to educate anyone who is interested in what the truth is about certain things happening in our world, especially our State and nation, and most definitely Israel. 

Today's devotional focus was from Acts 4:23-31, when John and Peter were arrested for preaching about Jesus and for healing the sick. The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees did not like what they were saying, as they were preaching about Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Many who heard the Good News believed, about five thousand men. The disciples were arrested, and then the next day they appeared before Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, and others. They were asked by whose authority they were given to preach these things, so Peter, full of Holy Spirit, presented the gospel to the rulers. They were eventually beaten, told not to ever mention His name again, and released.  When they were encountered preaching again, Peter and John told them they had to obey God rather than man. I guess if more pastors and leaders read this account, perhaps they would understand that this is an instance when disobeying man is obeying God. There's much disagreement over praying for and obeying leaders that many mistake as gospel. God does not expect us to support ungodliness, nor does He expect us to support a political party. He expects us to support those who walk according to His Word, which is why we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who need not be ashamed, but rightly dividing the truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible is our guide to godly leadership, so we always support the person who is walking the closest to what God says on a cause or law. Always pray for leadership, however, as that is a clear mandate from our Lord.

This is the prayer the disciples prayed after being released:

"And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: 'Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: "Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ." 'For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.' And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:23-31) 

Imagine what would happen if every church leader would pray a prayer like Peter's. Holy Spirit would shake the place, and the power of God would fill everyone with boldness to stand against the evil of this day. That's what I'm praying for! Hineni! 

There's so much noise in our nation and world today that it is deafening. This is why it is so important to separate ourselves, spending time alone with our Father, sitting at His feet, listening for His clear word of direction. Many turn on their computers first thing in the morning or their phones, and they begin scrolling and using their social media. Now with the advancement of AI things are becoming more insane, as men are blinded by what appears to be progress when it is NOT! It is my fervent, continual prayer that the church will awaken from their slumber, and pay attention to the signs of the times that point to the imminent return of Christ. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!