“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” (vs 7b-8)
It seems to me that Christianity, as a whole, has spent a lot of it’s time keeping silent. Yes, we hear hundreds of stories about those who were not, who spoke up no matter what. Richard Wurmbrand from the famous “Tortured For Christ” book and movie immediately come to mind. But compared to the hundreds who do speak out, there are thousands who do not. Whether speaking of intimate circles or world wide, I fear it is so.
As I look back over even just the last few years, it seems things have changed drastically in the world, in my country, and as a result, in my own, personal life. We now find ourselves living in a world that is emersed in practicing what serves us best, whether or not it is true. Most people don’t care anymore. We have become a society “who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.” His word says, “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts.” (Romans 1) It is a sobering and frightening thought to think that God himself would turn me over to that very thing that I have lusted for and refused to give up. If I am making it a habit to please and serve myself rather than God, I am setting myself up for certain calamity.
These last few months I have seen God’s people begin to stand up. I envision a large field with hundreds of holes, or burrows. One by one, prairie dogs pop their heads out of their hole. They look around and investigate their surroundings, blinking their eyes in wonderment, inquisitively thinking, “what’s going on?” They scan their environment, looking at each other, questioning, “are you ready to stand? Are you ready to speak out? Or are you going to retreat back into your safe place and let the immorality and corruption overtake us?”
God is awakening his people. Isaiah, chapters 52-54 speak in depth showing this to be true, as do the first few verses of Proverbs 29. I believe we have reached that “time to stand up” (referring to Ecclesiastes 3) Up until now he has allowed us to be lukewarm, but not anymore. Revelation 3: 15-16 tells us plainly that we are in a time in which we have to make a firm decision, and the results of that decision.
Will we be among those that are a part of God’s army? Or will we be prairie dogs, seeking our own manmade safety?
Jeremiah 17:5-8 says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, but blessed is the man who trusts in God.”
More and more I am realizing I am able to do less and less. Zechariah 4:6 says, “we can only do these things by God’s power, not our own strength.” Isaiah 31:1 says, “look to God for strength and help.” I heard someone say something years ago that I have never forgotten. She said, “we can’t do it, but we are responsible to see that it gets done.” To accomplish this, I must put my faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, not in myself. (Philippians 1:6)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33) “Do not be ashamed.” (2 Timothy 1:8)
This is my prayer these days. (Psalm 61:1-2)
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help].”
I know I can’t make it any other way.