Silence of the Lambs

# 195 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:38-40, “And Saul said, "Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. 39 "For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But not a man among all the people answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, "You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." (1 Sam 14:38-40) Saul had already made one rash oath and now he makes another. His first rash oath was to place a death sentence on any of his troops who ate during the day of the battle, and now, to show that he means business in this regard, he swears that even if it is his son Jonathan who committed sin, he shall die. You could've heard a pin drop. The people knew that Jonathan had unknowingly violated Saul's first oath when he ate of some honey while pursuing the Philistines. They knew that Saul was in essence sentencing his own son to death. But it seems that no one dared to speak up! Instead, they allow Saul to proceed with the casting of the lot, saying, “You do what you want to do Saul.” I am reminded of Ec 3:7b, where we are told that there is “A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;” This may have been one of those times to speak up. We too, are often faced with that dilemma. Should we speak up or clam up? But how do we know when to speak and when not to speak? A good rule of thumb is to always be ready to speak to injustice. Pr 31:8 says, “ Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.” Hmm, kind of makes you wonder why we are not hearing more voices in the church speak out against abortion? Legalized abortion has allowed for over 54 million appointments with death since 1973 in America alone! Would someone please tell me the crime of the unborn child? Speak up people! This is a “silence of the lambs” we (and unborn children) can do without! And remember as you speak, be sure to include the message of forgiveness for those who may have aborted their child. There is no sin, Jesus did not pay for.