Corona Devo 3093

 

We should speak up(!) if we see something wrong!  We've always been taught this, haven't we?  And this adage still rings true in current safety campaigns for our government, our schools, restaurants, bars and other public places.  

If you see something, say something...right?

Well--in most cases, yes.  But our Lord leads us in a different (silent) direction in some cases and especially as we approach His second coming.

The world (and the non-believers that it is filled with) will continue to become more and more wicked, and God forewarns us that in some circumstances those who are smart will keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time (Amos 5:13).

Really?  Because I thought, and in some Bible verses we are taught that sin should make our blood-boil.  And how can the wayward find God's way without us speaking up and out and sharing it?

Yes, yes, and agreed...but God warns us today that as people regress in morality, there are also some Bible verses that instruct us to take the spiritual-temperature of the water before we jump in.  

Sometimes verbal-abstinence is the best practice when the sin surrounding us becomes too great (or grave).

How you hate honest judges!  How you despise people who tell the truth!  (11) You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.   

Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them.  Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.  

(12) For I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions.  

You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

(13) So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time.
(14) Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.
(15) Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.   ~Amos 5:10-15 

This principle (keeping our mouth shut) seems to be counter-productive to evangelism, but God is the boss, and He calls our shots.  (And He always has purpose in the shots that He calls.) 

There is a time and place for (both) words-for-our-Lord, and silence-for-our-Savior.  Our job (and discernment) is knowing which situation is which. 

It reminds me of Kenny Rogers' song, "The Gambler":  

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em 
Know when to walk away and know when to run 
~The Gambler, Kenny Rogers  

The Lord calls us to share His Word and ways sometimes, but He also cautions us to be aware and mindful (and responsive) to the wickedness (and danger) of other times.  Of coming times:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, (4) treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— (5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people...   ~2 Timothy 3:1-5

There is a time for evangelizing, certainly.

But there is also a time for not evangelizing. 

God reminds us today that there are seasons for speaking about Him, and seasons of silence.

So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time. ~Amos 5:13

Our Lord reminds us that there are seasons for everything, and sometimes that includes not speaking about Him.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
(2) a time to be born and a time to die, 
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
(3) a time to kill and a time to heal, 
a time to tear down and a time to build, 
(4) a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
(5) a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
(6) a time to search and a time to give up, 
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
(7) a time to tear and a time to mend, 
a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
(8) a time to love and a time to hate, 
a time for war and a time for peace. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Be forewarned, Friends.  
Be wary, Fellow Footmen and Footwomen.  
Be wise, Sisters and Brothers in Christ.  

If we see something, we should say something, except when the Holy Spirit whispers to us not to.  

And in our silence, what should we do?

Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. ~Amos 5:14

Heavenly Father, help us today to discern when to open our mouths for You, and when not to. Guard our hearts from becoming desensitized to the world's wickedness, and keep us smart in Your Spirit. Amen.

(13) So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time.
(14) Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.
(15) Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.   ~Amos 5:13-15 
 

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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