Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.

This verse, along with verses 6 and 7, certainly seems appropriate in the light of the current situation in the Middle East. The unending physical and verbal assaults against Israel are remarkable, to say the least. As the Prime Minister has recently pointed out, Israel is using missiles to protect it’s people, and those attacking it are using their people to protect their missiles. In spite of that, the verbal attacks against Israel are deafening. That should produce this response in all who love God and honor His promises. (The current state of the world is a damning statement of how many do not fall into that category!) We live in a time when things are moving out of the gray and are more black and white. It’s not that situations aren’t complicated, it’s that good and evil are far more obvious. It is ironic but telling that a recently popular bit of filth, just made into a movie, is called 50 Shades of Grey. The devil is doing all he can to deny the existence of absolute truth, and with it righteousness. The battle is raging, and trying to stay on the sidelines makes us less able to stand. We need to call and encourage one another to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) and make our position clear. We are not to be attacking the people of God, but rather standing firm in the face of great evil of almost every description. Factions within the Body of Christ wasting energy by splitting theological hairs remind me of the Medieval discussions of how many angels could fit on the head of a pin! We are not to be silent, but our words aren’t to be directed against brothers and sisters in Christ, but rather at the evil that is so evident around us.

I have been long on conflict avoidance for much of my life, but I feel the conflict has come to me. Actually, the conflict was there all the time, but as long as I was blind to it, I was easily defeated in countless ways. I am not to be silent, but I must be careful that I always speak the truth in love: love for God and love for my neighbor. I am not to hate people, certainly, but I am to hate the evil that has entrapped them, staying submitted to God so that I may stand firm against it myself. (James 4:7) Whether in person or by electronic communication, I am to proclaim the truth of God without fear or favor, allowing Him to work His will through His words that I speak, for His glory. I must be very careful that I don’t go spouting off out of my own head, but always seek the Lord in genuine humility, so that I may not pollute or distort what He is saying.

Father, You give me various venues and opportunities to speak in various ways. May I not be silent, but may I speak only what You want me to, with Your content, timing, and tone. May I not wound needlessly, but may I not draw back from applying the scalpel when You say it is to be used. I know that my anger will never work Your righteousness. (James 1:20) May I let Your love flow through me in all purity, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!