For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. (1Pe 3:10 NIV)

This passage from the Holy Scriptures sings praises to silence. However this is not just silence in general, but rather in response to evil and deceit. This evil is nothing else than affront and reviling offense, whereas deceit includes lies, malevolence and wicked hatred. Faced with this malice a Christian is to practice himself in silence and patient endurance. Our lips and tongues are to keep still. Our entire lives are to let go of such evil and even more than that is expected of us. We are to bless and to speak well and promote good instead. That is a divine ordinance and mandate for us. This needs wisdom and discipline so as to not appear arrogant or as if we were just poking fun and making a mockery of this high road of Christian good and virtue.

The holy Apostle describes a life, which should be led, if you love life and want to see good days too. To come to such a rewarding harvest, we are to plant the good seeds in patience, but also diligently and with great care. We should keep the goal in mind and always pursue those things, that promote good life and days. Whoever wants to finally inherit blessings will have to practice blessing here. He is to meet all people – even his enemies and those hating, hurting, pursuing and discriminating him – with mild friendliness and gracious kindness. Whoever practices this godly lifestyle and becomes a master at it, is well on the way towards perfection – which we will reach by God’s grace at his final appearance for our fulfillment and merciful salvation.

Lord Jesus Christ – nobody passes your pure and unfailing judgment without being perfectly holy and true. Grant us an upright heart and a truthful mouth. Prevent all false pretence and lies, so that our will, mind and heart – our thinking, talking and doing will coincide harmoniously and faithfully. Grant that our tongue will not fail and give that our speaking and our silence will be according to your holy and loving will.  Amen.  

Now it’s time to sleep and whoever can’t, join me in prayer to worship the great name, whom day and night, heaven and earth and all give praise, honour and glory: O Jesus! Amen.

Away with misleading fantasy – my Lord and God is here. You never sleep – my faithful watch keeper! So I wake in your gracious presence. Your holy sacrifice sanctifies me and my life +

All stars are bright in honour of your glory, while I’m alone in deaths dark vale. Yet Lord speak put one word and your servant will be healed. Your goodness and grace saves and keeps me in most silent darkness + (Gerhard Tersteegen, 1697-1769)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the fifth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 252 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.