Prayer and Action
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 (ESV)
Bad news can be hard to hear but good to know.
Consider Paul in Acts 23. He is being held by the Romans because they were looking for evidence to prove the accusations made by the Jewish leadership against him.
While imprisoned, forty Jewish leaders made an oath not to eat or drink until they had succeeded in killing him. They made a plan that the Lord revealed to Paul’s nephew, who reported it to Paul.
Paul sent this nephew to the leader of the Roman soldiers to inform them of the plot. This Roman leader had Paul moved while guarded by 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen (Acts 23:23). That was some serious protection from 40 men!
Paul got hard news but it was good to know. Acting on it saved his life.
Many today would rather hide from truth figuring they don’t have to deal with it, confront it, or change it. What they don’t know… they’d rather not know.
John 8:31-32 says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ’If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Knowing the truth will set us free. Pretending a problem doesn’t exist will not improve matters; in fact, not acting on something we know needs action usually makes matters worse. We may be prolonging our own misery or leaving someone else to be a victim.
This may be part of why our nation is where it is today. We prefer our comfort over openly resisting the world (I am guilty of this) about abortion, the attack on the family, and many other unbiblical practices of our day.
Many of us are afraid of the fight, the rejection, or other negative responses. We want peace and comfort now over the long term benefit of the confrontation. Whether it is a personal friend falling into sin or an unjust law being passed (or a Drag Queen Story Hour for small children at the local library), “Who am I to judge?” is not the proper response.
If God has revealed the problem, He has entrusted a truth for us to act on, not to sit on, talk about, or avoid.
If you do not know something evil is happening you cannot fix it. If you do know it’s happening, you have a responsibility to try. This is not a guarantee the situation will be resolved, but our job is obedience in confronting the wrong.
My Pastor pointed out that the Lord has left us (although we rarely use them) the prayers within the imprecatory Psalms. We don’t like to ask God for judgment. We have been taught that judgment is harsh and cold. And that may be true when it’s our judgment, but God’s judgment is always perfect and it is how He protects the innocent.
First, will we ask God to bring justice to the evil-doers of our day? Will we deal with the truth of what is happening in our midst by first praying – bring out the imprecatory Psalms and use them (Psalm 5, 10, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140)?
Then, action as God directs, for the good of the nation and His glory, would be a wonderful thing!
This struck me as another confirmation to what has been coming forth this past week. As Eli put his sons before the Lord (1 Samuel 2), we often love people into hell instead of speaking the truth.
Thank you for the exhortation to become active against the evil present! We have the awesome ability to pray for the world we live in! Prayer does change things!
Yes, Julie, Whenever we obey God He will use it for good and He tells us to pray.
Thanks for the comment.
“we often love people into hell instead of speaking the truth.” Wow! This is so true. Hope you won’t mind if I “borrow” it!
Thanks
Like the other comments, “we often love people into hell instead of speaking the truth.” These are powerful words that we need to take to heart. Thanks
Indeed.
“We don’t like to ask God for judgment. We have been taught that judgment is harsh and cold. And that may be true when it’s our judgment, but God’s judgment is always perfect and it is how He protects the innocent.”
I LOVE that piece of truth–too often overlooked. Thank you for it. God bless!
Thanks for saying so, Nancy! I appreciate the encouragement!
I agree, great article. My focus is on helping men turn from their sexual sin and find their freedom in Christ.
“Who am I to judge?” is not the proper response…. So much good stuff here that inspires me to do/be better. I’ve never thought about using the Psalms about judgement as part of my prayer life. Love it. I especially love this sentiment: God’s judgment is always perfect and it is how He protects the innocent. You’re right, we’ve been duped into believing that judgement is a bad thing. We need a change in perspective badly!
Thanks Dave, May the Lord bless you and the men you minister to in such a needed area od men’s lives today (though I know women are involved, too).
After the sermon on Sunday a young woman spoke up and suggested that we take one of the imprecatory Psalms (109, I think) and look at it from the aborted baby’s perspective. It was heart wrenching to think about. They are powerful prayers against evil. Blessings.
It’s hard to be called out about something, but it is so important to heed the words of others trying to steer us back to God’s path… and just as important to speak out when others are doing wrong.
“If God has revealed the problem, He has entrusted a truth for us to act on, not to sit on, talk about, or avoid.” Thank you for this call to action. I pray we would rise up in the face of whatever problems God places in our paths (immediate circles or globally).
This summarizes your post well: “If you do not know something evil is happening you cannot fix it. If you do know it’s happening, you have a responsibility to try.” The Lord will hold us accountable if we know and yet don’t try. If we know and do try, we can pray for justice, as you mention later in the post, leaving the results to him. This is the best we can do. This is all we can do. Some things can only be accomplished by the Lord. Our responsibility is to speak and to act, entrusting the results into his hands. This is becoming increasingly vital in our culture. Great post!
A-Men and thank you for the prayer list in the Psalms. This is very encouraging as well as informal on what we need to be doing as followers of Jesus Christ, thanks!! God Bless
I will have to chew on this blog for a while… I hate what God hates, as David did, but I stop short of condemning the actions of individuals. I like the verse you quoted in James; made me reconsider. Thank you
Yes, Jessica, The hardest part is assuring that the Lord is gloried in our humility and grace in all aspects of this!
Thanks Peggy, Yes, He is glorified when we follow His Lead!
You’re welcome and thanks for the comment, Stephen.
Candice, Using imprecatory Psalms is not you or me condemning anyone. It is asking God to if He wills it. We do not condemn but we observe “their fruit” and if those fruits are evil, we pray. At the end of Psalm 139 David asks God to search his heart regarding the previous verses where he asks God to slay the wicked and says he hates what God hates. David is calling on God to make sure his prayer is right before Him! Hope that helps.
Beth, good words here. Those imprecatory psalms have always intimidated me a little. But they can have a place in our prayer life. You’ve challenged me to become more intentional in my prayer life. I need to be a brighter light in the world around me.
Thanks Jeanne, There is certainly a need for all of us who know the Lord to let our lights sine brighter all the time! Thanks for the comment.