A Call for Repentance - Day 27: Forgive me Lord for not speaking up when I should have.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our opening scripture references speaking up concerning injustices. Indeed, given the opportunity, not speaking up for those being dealt with unjustly, makes one complicit.

It is also true that the need to speak up is not limited to incidents of injustice.

Granted, there are times to hold our peace. Only the leading of the Holy Spirit can help us to understand when we should or should not speak.

Jesus did not speak a word to defend Himself.

“Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus’ mission necessitated His allowing Himself to be crucified. Therefore, He did not speak in His own defense.

The people did not answer Sennacherib’s representative who brought a threat to Judah.

“What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? So what makes you think that the Lord can rescue Jerusalem from me?” But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, “Do not answer him.””

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭36‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hezekiah had placed their defense in the hands of the Lord and had ordered the people not to answer the enemy.

However, we know that Esther was put as queen so that she could speak up to save the Jews.

“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And, we know that when Esther did speak up, her people were saved.

Having established that we must allow the Lord to help us to know when we should or shouldn’t speak, there are many times when not speaking up is taken as consent or agreement. In those situations you must make your position clear to separate yourself from those who are in error—particularly when their error goes against what is right before God.

During my postgraduate education, an incident happened where I was in a group of fellow students who were referencing a television evangelist, well known at that time. Their observations began to take the form of ridicule concerning this person who was Pentecostal. Indeed, specifically because he was Pentecostal.

Sure, I could have just let it slide, knowing that they were ignorant of what they were doing because of their own doctrinal background. But I also knew that doing so, would keep them from the opportunity to know that what they were doing was offensive to me, but more importantly, offensive to the Lord. So, without making a big scene, I just simply remarked that I could tell from the direction of their conversation, that they did not know that I was Pentecostal.

Needless to say, it got everyone’s attention, as the blood drained from their faces. I went on to tell them some things, good things, I personally knew about the one they were mocking.

Now, whether what I said, or my involvement with them, changed their attitude toward spirit-filled people, I don’t know. But, going forward, it probably made them think twice before ridiculing something about which they really had no idea.

Think about it, have you ever heard someone tell a racist joke? Were you paralyzed as to what you should do?

Given, it would be easier at that moment, to just not laugh, or perhaps moan without speaking the truth in terms of how wrong doing that is. But make no mistake, your silence is agreement.

Now, in such a situation, you don’t have to offer a discourse on the history of prejudice. However, you can and should simply say something like, “Racist jokes are wrong.”

Remember, we will not be found innocent if we have not spoken when our speaking could have made a difference for someone else, or when speaking would have brought glory to God, or when our failure to speak has grouped us with those who are against God.

To be sure, we are living in a time of more and more pressure to keep silent for fear of being “canceled,” shunned, or even threatened. But, we will give an account, not to the world, but to the Lord, for every word we should not have spoken, as well as every word we should have spoken.

Let’s ask the Lord to forgive us for not speaking up when we should have. As well, let’s ask Him to give us the words we should speak, and the courage to do so, when the situation compels our answer.

Peace to you. Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

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