“God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” Psalm 83:1
February 5, 2024
There are times when God is silent. To the atheist this is not a problem, for if there is no God why expect Him to speak or show up in some special way? But to the psalmist who knew that God was the Everlasting God and that He speaks to men (Psa. 119) there was a problem. Israel was surrounded by nations who were intent on destroying her. Her very survival hung in the balances. For those who are awake to the menacing presence of evil, they can cry out to God to do something. The long shadows of evil will provoke a sense of urgency among the righteous. Doesn’t God know what is happening? Yes, emotion is talking, but it is truth infused emotion. Are you wondering why God is silent? One of the reasons is to push us into the desperation of longing to see that evil can be overcome by the prayers of God’s people. Go to the end of Psalm 83, “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (verse 18). We must seek our God when evil unfurls its banners.
H
“I come to you the only true God, not a god among equals. You are all powerful and have demonstrated your mighty works. Turn the tigers of evil intent into kittens, cowering before you.”