Keeping the Faith
I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1 NASB
Will guard– It always begins at the beginning. The first occurrence of šāmar is at the creation of Man. “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). That is the task of Man, to “keep” (šāmar) what God has created. Skip forward a few thousand years and you will find the same verb applied to the covenant relationship. “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him” (Genesis 18:19). Keeping the faith is encapsulated in the Hebrew term šāmar. Used 420 times in the Qal (as close to our present tense as possible in Hebrew), the verb is an imperfect, a continuous, unfinished action. Keeping the faith isn’t signing on to a list of timeless professions. It’s daily duties. It’s walking forward into God’s purposes, deliberately, dutifully.
The basic idea of the root is “to exercise great care over.” This meaning can be seen to underlie the various semantic modifications seen in the verb: In combination with other verbs the meaning is “do carefully or diligently.” Thus Prov 19:8, “Give heed to understanding”; Deut 11:32, “Be careful to do (i.e. perform carefully) all the statutes and ordinances) and in Num 23:12, speak carefully or faithfully.
Secondly it expresses the careful attention to be paid to the obligations of a covenant, to laws, statutes, etc. [1]
Perhaps David has the event in Abraham’s life in mind when he expresses his commitment to daily diligence. Let’s consider those circumstances where YHVH uses the verb šāmar with regard to Abraham. Chapter 18 of Genesis is about the encounter with the three men on their way to Sodom. Of course, the event also includes the prediction of the birth of Isaac, but don’t get sidetracked by that miracle. The men are going to Sodom to render judgment. In this story, Abraham intercedes for the city. He barters with YHVH, asking that judgment be avoided if there are but a few righteous men in the city. In other words, in the presence of the wicked, Abraham speaks, precisely the opposite of what David proclaims. David’s motivation is to avoid sin, but the result is that he says nothing. Like Noah, he determines to keep quiet as if his voice would somehow violate God’s ordinances.
In these two instances, šāmar leads us to polar opposites. Are we to follow Abraham and speak into wickedness or are we to follow David and keep the faith by remaining silent? Are we to be Noah or John the Baptist? David seems to choose the side of Noah, but as we will see, it doesn’t quite work out the way we expect. But it does raise important questions: What does it mean to keep the faith in the face of the world’s wickedness? Do we speak out or do we tend to the business of remaining pure? Is it a sin to directly engage the wicked even if our motives are evangelical? Why would David choose silence? The answers are coming. Get ready.
Topical Index: šāmar, to guard, to keep, Noah, Abraham, silence, Psalm 39:1
[1]Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., Jr., & Waltke, B. K. (Eds.). (1999). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament(electronic ed., p. 939). Chicago: Moody Press.
Evil does not occupy its own universe or get to make its own ‘laws’, either. Creation was formed around the concept of dependency; of everything supplying everything else with what it needs. Nothing “lives unto itself”: nothing is self sufficient. Whether we like it or not, we are completely dependent upon all other life for our own life. Evil has to play by those same rules, too. (We may – by believing lies – be convinced that somehow we can gain credit, or can depend upon ourselves, for our own lives, but I think that is sheer illusion.)
I believe evil can not support itself: it cannot derive its own energy (existence) from itself any more than anything else can. It has been said that “all that is required for evil to flourish is for good men to stand by and do nothing”, but in my experience, that is not exactly true. I think evil DEPENDS totally upon goodness for its very survival. I think this is why evil goes so far out of its way to engage with the good: evil cannot stand to see goodness without attempting to rob it. If I were to amend the above saying, I would say that “all that is required for evil to exist is for goodness to ALLOW it” (much less feed it, tolerate it, aid and abet it; ignore it, etc.) Therefore, I think that even when we sidestep the head-on collision with evil or attempt to duck over to the other side of the road and ‘mind our own business’, evil steals a march. Evil selects the weak to prey on; namely, the “widows and orphans”: those who are left unprotected in the world. When we who are stronger ignore evil, therefore, I think we are basically throwing the weak to the wolves, for evil must feed upon something!
But I believe evil’s best energy source comes from getting us to engage with it in some way in the flesh. I think all evil appeals to all other evil; the worst in others brings out the worst in us. It can be a huge effort to keep your mouth shut when somebody is egging you on or is tempting you to agree because I think the fracture in us is threatened by whatever threatens the fracture in others: exposure! The instant I stand against the evil in you, my evil is exposed, too. I stand the risk of either being called a hypocrite, or, worse, having to fight for what is right.
I know I am going out on a limb here, but I think that evil HAS TO HAVE some sort of ‘pass’ from the good; the good has to ‘give up’ something for evil to continue to exist. It starves quickly if you don’t feed it! The art of “keeping” with diligence the “issues (sources) of life” I think involves the refusal to feed the evil in others by handing over some portion of our own legitimately-derived source of life (existence). (Before I can do that, however, I have to have quit feeding it in myself, of course… details…)
Thank you Laurita for your excellent commentary on evil needing good people to flouish….that is what Julian of Norwich said that ‘evil has no substance’, therefore, like a parasite it needs a healthy host to live on. Today is Thomas Merton’s 50th year of his death and I’ve been re-reading his “Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander” and he quotes what Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote shortly before his death at the hands of the Nazi’s, “And the peculiar evil of our time is not to be sought in the sins of the good but in the apparent vitures of the evil…a hive of murderers who love their children and are kind to their pets, a hive of cheats & gangsters who are loyal in pacts to do evil….ours is a time of evil which is so evil it can do good without prejudice to its own iniquity-it is no longer threatened by goodness”. As Skip says, what does it mean to keep the faith in the face of the world’s wickedness? I like what Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for everything…a time to be silent and a time to speak and one needs a wise heart to know the appropriate season. Personally I am very involved with the arts in my community and appreciate how artists can speak creatively to our culture. They have shown me that creating art IS an act of worship.
Here’s a different aspect that runs along the same line of what you stated above. We’ve all heard that verse quoted that says, “in many words, sin is not lacking………..but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
That often pauses us to speak to a situation even if we’re passonate or knowledgable concerning the subject. But, here’s another way of reading it that might give some insight regarding this discussion. The word translated as “lacking” is ch-d-l and isn’t so much about lacking something (or in this case, not lacking) as is about something that’s been cut off. If you go peruse this 10th chapter of proverbs you’ll see that mostly it’s not concerned about lack and substance but about cutting off and prospering, so it goes well with the whole theme. So to put it in order, we can read, in the increasing (r-b, to increse) of many words, sin is not cut off.
Here’s the idea, how do you “cut off” sin or evil? I’m not speaking of someone who is perhaps mistaken in their sin, but rather someone who is knowingly, boldly, bent toward doing evil. Picture the Messiah in front of Pilate, who He spoke to, and in front of Herod, before whom He was completely silent. To address someone of that bent is to only spur them on into more and greater sin, and here’s the subtle kicker, when we do so, we partake in their sin by egging it on. (otherwise, they would have ceased because of lack of response) This however doesn’t leave us without a response otherwise, only without a response to the one working evil. Our other option is to turn to others and teach truth. (that’s how we “cut off” evil) Note that the response isn’t to tell others how evil the other one is, only to teach truth. Here’s a question, what are you defined by? Is it by what you’re against or for? They both have default positions. If I’m for life, I’m automatically against that which destroys life, but my emphasis should be on what brings life and not on what destroys it, otherwise I also am apt to engage in the same sin as the one I condemn. But the wisdom spoken of here is not “chockmah”, which is a wisdom of doing and the why of it, but rather a wisdom of discernment, sh-c-l (literally to cover and contain….ish) so that it’s about what not to do as well as about what to do.
YHWH bless you and keep you……
Thank you, Robert. I think sin is always looking for justification (which it notoriously always lacks). The more attention it gets, the more ‘reason’ it has to exist. I found, years ago, if I pointedly ignored any child of mine who was acting out, his ‘fire’ usually went out in a hurry!
I hope your writing is going well, too.
Simply brilliantly perceived and expressed, aligns with my daily experiance in buisness.
I just wanted to chime in to share this link, that explains the “Western/hellenistic” definition/perception of satan and how it looks from a Hebraic perspective. The link is
biblicalarchaeology dot org daily biblical topics bible interpretation slash who is satan
P. S. I think this is why humility – admission of our own limitations up front – is not optional, because it is the best way we have been given (on our end, anyway) to protect ourselves – spike the enemy’s cannons – in our fight with that evil, for evil has to accuse something to survive, but it can only accuse what is still being hidden. Frontal confession – full disclosure – will trump accusation every time, then, for accusation is the only ‘successful’ weapon I believe evil has.
Lying (false) accusations, of course, and maybe also condemnations. Some accusations are the truth and that is what ought to be confessed, repented of, and changed. And “evil” has no legal right to condemn. Also, there is the evil weapon of temptation, including the temptation of believing (agreeing with) the lies and acting upon them.
You have a point, but I was taught that there was a vital difference between accusation and conviction. Accusation, as you say, is NOT condemnation (which only a true Authority can do) but accusation is also NEVER TRUE: for it to be accusation, there has to be some twist to it: some falseness. Accusation is a wanna-be counterfeit of conviction, in fact. Now, conviction is the voice of God to us that supplies us with heaven’s impetus to change. We can learn to identify conviction because it (being like all the other gifts of heaven) comes with a: a correct diagnosis of the problem and, b: a SOLUTION (“ram in the thicket”) with which to fix the problem. (None of us, obviously, are in a real position to ‘know’ that kind of information about another; hey, we most of the time don’t know that for ourselves! Nor, I believe, are we expected to! So much for trying to ‘convict’ others; much less accuse them.)
Accusation is neither. First, it will always have some shade of a lie to it: look for the lie! Accusation will invariably not only misdiagnose the problem, but will get the supposed ‘solution’ (if it happens to ‘offer’ one) wrong, too. Something will be ‘off’ every time. Also, all accusation BELITTLES the subject in some way: it diminishes the image of God (which is accusation of the Creator, y’all) in them. Second, it will either offer a ‘solution’ that further diminishes that image of God (further shaming), or, more commonly, I seem to have noticed, will just cut straight to failure ( counterfeit condemnation): no remedy for the problem in sight! As the Accuser is also a Liar, this is naturally to be expected.
We are told to never “give place” – credence – ear – to the devil. Therefore, accusation (which all originates with our Accuser or with those who are listening to that channel) must never be listened to or indulged in ourselves or others. It is an invention of hell. Conviction NEVER shames (belittles) and ALWAYS provides a true remedy; a way to correct the problem. Conviction is always on our side: accusation is just a frontal assault designed to take us (or others) out (in the name of God, of course!).
Learning to differentiate between the voice of conviction and the voice of accusation, then, is learning that there is a vital difference between the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of our Accuser. Self accusation; accusation of God (we do this ALL THE TIME!); accusation of others, LISTENING TO (agreeing with) ACCUSATION FROM OTHERS OR OURSELVES, are all sins for they are all participation in diminishing the image of God (which is accusation of the Creator) in us or others. Conviction, we are told, is the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit. We must never engage in either accusation OR attempt to convict as other entities are already assigned those ‘jobs’! We, on the other hand, were given the job of witness. Or, as Alanon retaught me; keep the focus on me.
Learning the difference between accusation, conviction and condemnation – and learning to identify where each was coming from – stopped me from being tormented! These days, I try to pay attention ONLY to witness in others and listen ONLY to the conviction channel, which is ONLY from heaven. NOBODY has been delegated to be the voice of God OR the devil in my life. (We are all in the same boat together. ) Halleluah!
A quick word search in the Scriptures using “accuse” or “accusation” reveals that it can be something that is true or false. The same can be found simply by looking at dictionary definitions. Psalm 103:9 also indicates that even God accuses, but that He will not always do so. Even Messiah spoke of Moses accusing. Technically, in a legal process, there must first be an accusation. If that accusation is found to be without sufficient evidence, then it is a false accusation and there is an acquittal. If, however, the accusation is found to have sufficient evidence, to be a true accusation, then there is a conviction. Also, Shaul even wrote in 2nd Corinthians that there is a glory in the ministry of condemnation. It’s just that the ministry of righteousness overflows even more in glory.
Man-made law requires man-made accusation, but have we been given the ‘job’ of accusation for God’s moral law, or has someone else already been given that one? Are we supposed to get involved in the legalities of our cases, or are those technicalities being handled another way? Where does the Bible tell us to either be responsible for accusing, or to pay attention to the accusation of others, or of ourselves to ourselves(!)? Why or why not?
Deu 19:15 A single witness shall not rise up against a person for any offense or sin that he commits. By the word of two or three witnesses is a case to be established.
We are all called to be witnesses, which is about our personal experience. Accusation, by nature, however, is about holding someone up to law and finding them wanting. Are any of us in a position (called) to do that – with the moral law, anyway? Yes, I think we are to call others to account for their actions (evil), but that is not the same as accusation, which is about assigning (divining?) internal motives (personal morality), is it not?
There IS a vital difference between accusation and conviction, but maybe not in all you were taught. “Divining” one’s motive is not necessary to legitimately, rightly, and even righteously make an accusation. The witness of sufficient evidence of wrongful action is enough for accusation, conviction, and condemnation. That is why there is a commandment to not bear FALSE witness against someone.
ac·cu·sa·tion
/ˌakyəˈzāSH(ə)n/Submit
noun
noun: accusation; plural noun: accusations
a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
“accusations of bribery”
synonyms: allegation, charge, claim, assertion, imputation; indictment, arraignment, incrimination, recrimination, inculpation; suit, lawsuit, impeachment; informalrap, blame game
“he denied the accusations of bending the rules to obtain the grants”
CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY
UK US
C1 a statement saying that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind, or the fact of accusing someone.
There are two distinct levels here: man-made laws, and moral law. Two levels of accusation accompany these. One you will find in a court of the laws of the land: the other set you will find in the heavenly court. My contention is that I cannot find that we have been called to bring accusations before the heavenly court.
That may be true but the heavenly court may bring accusation against us and that contradicts the following statement…..”accusation is also NEVER TRUE: for it to be accusation, there has to be some twist to it: some falseness. Accusation is a wanna-be counterfeit of conviction, in fact.”
The question is, WHEN is judgment day? Is heaven sitting that court yet? If not, then why would we? Isn’t that because not all the evidence is in yet?
The real question is, have we been given or assigned the job of accusing? If so, then it would be blessed (results). When was the last time someone accused you of something that resulted in good fruit? Please be specific (witness).
I can easily and clearly remember at least one specific and significant accusation, not only about a matter of conduct but also even regarding motive, from someone who had the right and responsibility to make such an accusation. It was a true witness and led to genuine conviction by the Ruach haKodesh, my teshuvah (repentance), and lasting good fruit, even though it was not presented to me in a spirit of gentleness according to Gal.6:1, and that same person has also falsely accused me on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, it was a legitimate accusation, not a lie, and confirmed by the Ruach haKodesh, and I am very grateful that I was rightly accused, because it was that which started the process of me changing many things about myself and it has also resulted in very good fruit in the lives of many others as well.
I am also very grateful that I have received the same help from the Ruach to know when I have been falsely accused and when the adversary has tried to lie to me. I just need get more help from the Ruach in how I deal with that interpersonally. That is a very tough one to deal with, for me anyways. After all, bearing false witness is almost right up there with adultery and being stolen from. It’s not because I generally have difficulty with standing firm against the lying accusations of the adversary. Nor do I have difficulty with an inordinate desire for the approval of others. There are, however, a certain few people who I want to love in a special way, by whom I especially want to be trusted, and with whom I most want to be relationally intimate. To be falsely accused by them is most disheartening and exasperating, especially when all reason seems to be lacking and futile. It’s then that I am most needing to identify with Messiah and to trust that, even if I do not win the trust of the one by whom I am being falsely accused, I can at least reap the benefit of becoming more like him.
Thank you, that helps. There is no doubt that we are surrounded (and are filled with) sin. There is no doubt that we need to be told when we are messing up, and that we need to tell others when they are, too. There is no doubt that if we DON’T identify and confront sin we are complicit with it, too. The question then becomes, what ways are effective? What bears fruit? I think the whole world is staggering under the weight of sin; guilt and shame burden all who sin whether or not they are aware of what and how they are messing up. That burden needs to be lifted, but it cannot unless and until there is repentance and deliverance. Identification of the problem (naming sin) is critical to this. My point is, HOW can this be done effectively (i.e. without just increasing the burden or causing defensiveness)? Is accusation effective? Is it the best way? Are there more effective ways? What is accusation? What is false accusation? HOW do we address sin in such a way that the Holy Spirit is free to convict? I am not being contentious: I think this is an important discussion, and I am thanking you for engaging.
Thanks Laurita and Jerry. This was an important discussion and timely for me. We would need, I think, a few days under a tree in eternity to really unpack this and I fully expect we will get a chance to do that together. ..All I have time now to add is accusations, conviction disagreements about them are all fruits of Judgment. While we are yet trapped in time and this particular space the only answer that comes to mind to illuminate the darkness about these things is John 3:19 And this is the verdict(the only true judgment): The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. – Staying in the light is our only hope….
“The way I was taught it” lead me to think about how I lived it, ie accusation (blame). When I accepted that blame (judgment of others) and shame (self judgment/condemnation) has judgment at the root I approached things differently. Understanding that there is only ONE judge and ONE lawgiver stopped my runaway train of blame and shame. I went from a list to find fault to a desire to find solution (harmony and oneness with the Creator). The truth or should I say surrender to Gods will/desire of restoring “all” things was just a “stones throw away.”
Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.” ] John 8:5-7,9-11
Business brings real chalenges in dealings with selfishness=evil . To honestly, humbly admit your human frailties while not accepting accusations of professional malpractice is real. As an architect, I’m dealing with the aftermath of the Santa Rosa Fire storm and now the complete loss of Paradis Cal. When people have actually lost everything they relied on for security what they do to protect or advance themselves is exposed -it is not aways prity. It can be a professional mine field . Discerning when to speak, and when to remain silent regarding evil, malficence, cone game’s etc is always a chalenge. These are not simple things to deal with….
Mark Parry,
I will be praying for you. It sounds like you have great need of pressing into the heart of the King! May you feel and hear the sound of His heartbeat for all you encounter.
– Staying in the light is our only hope….
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how far we are from our mandate to guard the good things God has given us. Instead of guarding what is good, we are actually bringing destruction to them. I weep over America and pray that we will turn from our sin.I know that I must turn from my own sin and that must be my prime focus. I have tried to become familiar with practical ways to heal from the fractures caused when we haven’t guarded ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, our responsibilities toward God, our planet, our homes etc. I work to guard myself from my own inner critical voice. I work to guard my faith and trust in God who is able to restore the many years of locust onslaughts. I work to try to guard my spirit from the heaviness of knowing that I did not know how to guard the Torah while raising my children. Every single day I wonder if I’m choosing the best way to serve in these evil days. I fight to keep an attitude of thanksgiving in all things when we are throwing away our greatest treasures. This Today’s Word raises the issues closest to my heart and most pressing on my mind. I need answers.
Dear Theresa,
As I read your comment, my heart was saying – she needs some answers. Then, at the end, you wrote the very words in my thoughts. So I’ll try at some answers…
1) “… to guard the good things God has given us”.
YHWH has given us innumerable good things. I believe you’ll agree that the most important ‘good thing’ Yah has given us is His Son. It is the best of all the ‘good things’ since through His Son Yeshua, we who were estranged from our Father can be restored and be at peace with Him, with ourselves and with others. With peace, a wonderful blessing comes to us – good and fitful sleep! ?
But also peace enables us to hear the Father’s voice; His is a still small voice, neither clamorous nor aggressive. We learn to listen to Him and obey Him, just as Yeshua did (unimaginable!) Then life begins to get simplier… Yes, we have to come to the Father and to Yeshua like little children (Matt 19:17).
You are right about turning from your own sins as a prime focus. Getting to know both Yeshua and the Father intimately should be added to your prime focus. Let Them know this is your desire and you’ll be directed as you spend time in the Scriptures. They will honor your desire.
2) You said, “I have tried …to heal from the fractures caused when we haven’t guarded ourselves, …our homes etc.”
We ALL have fractures, it is the legacy from the first Adam, but we cannot heal ourselves. The Second Adam, Yeshua came to do that for us. Interestingly, He began His ‘ministry’ in the Galilee by making that declaration! (Luke 4:18). We all have broken lives and hearts, we know what it is to be in captivity, we know what it’s like to have regrets; it is the way of humanity. It seems Yeshua thought that was the place to start with us – to heal us.
So do not accept any condemnation over it. Rather we’ll accept our Father’s forgiveness once we have acknowledged and confessed our own shortcomings as they come to our attention. It is a humbling necessity.
3) You said, “I work to guard myself from my own inner critical voice”.
Getting to know the character of the God of Israel (Exod 34:6-7) and also of His Son, who are full of compassion towards you, goes a far way in helping you recognise, resist and reject critical and condemning thoughts which assail your inner being. Condemnation is NEVER from the Father, nor from Yeshua (Rom 8:1). Condemnation steals your inner peace; it is the activity of our adversary, the thief.
4) I think I hear a bit of struggle? “I have tried…; I work to guard…; I work to try…; I wonder if I’m choosing…; I fight to keep…” There seems to be some amount of uncertainty about your outcomes. We all need rest and peace in our own spirit to be able to journey with a sense of fulfilment. I am touched by how open you are about your reality. That is honorable. By saying you want answers, it indicates you find your current reality unacceptable. Good for you! Yeshua’s words in Matt 11:28-30 may be just what you need to hear!!
There is a mighty lot going on in our world that is destructive, and that is not likely to change. But as for you, I believe that you did what you were able to do re your kids etc (because we all act out of where we are). Our Father however, has a surprising way of acting redemptively in our lives. He turns our past into blessings or give to us the comfort we need without scolding us.
So then, we are encouraged to turn/give EVERYTHING about our past over to Him – no living in the shadows. On the journey He may show you your particular role in the wider troubling world! But make no mistake about it, your first need is to enjoy Him and to know you give His heart pleasure.
So, tighten your seat belt! Whoa!!
Forgive the lengthiness. Hope this helps…
Fascinating blog post. You have us on the edge of our seat as we wait to find out whether “guard” our speech leans toward silence or speaking out. Thanks for your daily nuggets Skip!
The richness of this discussion contains great potential for growth and development in Christ. I am becoming more and more aware that knowing is not enough. It’s where so many judgments arise. Paul discusses this in detail in Romans 2. Once again I refer back to the brilliant thinking of Oswald Chambers where he refers to it as “making the real actual“. This is where we have the potential of development and moving ahead or getting stuck !
Larry, I came back to this discussion because it truly is foundational to a holy walk before the sinfulness in our world. It has inspired what I am now defining as my new religion. (Toung in check) I say that to avoid redundancy it has helped clarify my new/only current spirtual practice. I too value greatly Oswald Chambers And this year my devotions have focused on reading Oswald completely, T.W. some crafted prayers (John Eldrege “daily prayer”) and of course Scripture. This has lead to profound breakthroughs and growth and provided my new singular religious/spirtual objective. It is my purpose to practice consistently remaining in the presence of the Spirit of Grace and Truth. That’s my new religion. It’s that easy and that hard….
God KNOWS and man THINKS he knows.
Faith bridges the gap.
When man surrenders his right to himself and what he
thinks he knows, then God’s gift of faith leads the natural
to the spiritual as His Spirit guides.
When man gets over himself, it’s then that he “sees” that God
has already FINISHED all that is needed.
This world has become the enemy’s workshop. But it’s in our hearts
where the real work gets done.
Let’s keep the faith . . . and our paths straight. The world sees us.
So . . . “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1Pet 3:15
It was on this very date 32 years ago that Elie Weisel gave his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and put into words what it really means to be a descendant of Father Abraham. His life work reminded us what those words translated into deeds looks like. He said:
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must — at that moment — become the center of the universe.”
In closing his speech he boldly stated:
“No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night. We know that every moment is a moment of grace, every hour an offering; not to share them would mean to betray them. Our lives no longer belong to us alone; they belong to all those who need us desperately.”
This is deeply profoundly timely for me on the bus now, sorry I’m behind….