Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the LORD.

Wow! The line, “no weapon formed against you will prosper,” is in a song I’ve sung for a long time, but the verse as a whole goes much further than that. I like the way the Japanese puts it: “In the time of judgment, you will convict of sin every tongue that accuses you.” The NIV just says, “refute,” but the Japanese says that the tables will be turned completely! That should be a great comfort to those believers who are under verbal attack. There is a great deal of that going on in the US today, so this is an important verse to keep in mind. The last part of the verse makes it clear that the promise is for those who serve the Lord, and the Japanese says, “This is their righteousness that they receive from me.” That of course brings to mind several New Testament passages, like 1 Corinthians 1:30: “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” If we fail to understand what God has done for us in Christ, we will be less than bold, because the devil will constantly accuse us of things we have already repented of, or which we never really did in the first place. When we are secure in Christ, we turn the tables on the devil and those who serve him, just as this verse says. This of course brings to mind Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors.” When we abide in Christ, the devil might seem to get the advantage at times, but the outcome will always be glorious victory for us.

I’ve certainly experienced quite a few “accusing tongues,” and it’s no fun. It’s especially painful when the the one wagging that tongue is a brother or sister in Christ! That’s certainly not to say that I’m not to accept correction; that would be setting myself up for disaster. However, I am to submit every accusation to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to show me anything of which I need to repent. That done, I need to rise in the strength of one who is righteous in Christ, and give the devil no foothold. I am to be gracious and forgiving toward those who have let the devil use their tongues. I’ve learned that Proverbs 25:21-22 is very true! I’ve even had people lash out in anger at being forgiven, because they insist the wrong is all mine. That is sad indeed, and I can only yield it to the Lord. I am not to be anxious about any attacks that God allows, but rather seek His purpose in them, for my blessing and His glory.

Father, You know the attacks I’ve experienced better than I do, and You certainly know those I will experience in the future better than I do, because I have no idea what they will be. Help me rest in You in whatever You allow to come my way, so that the devil’s schemes may be defeated and the Body of Christ built up, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!