Let Silence Prevail

Verse of the day: Numbers 12:4 “Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, ‘Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!’ So the three came out.”

All of us, regardless of who we are, will be falsely accused and criticized at some point in our lives. There will be times when what is said about us is true (whether we admit it or not), and there will be other times when the commentary will be completely false. How do we react when others speak lies about us? Do we get angry and immediately go into “defense mode”? Do we suddenly get “diarrhea of the mouth” and give them “a piece of our minds”? What do we accomplish by doing this, other than adding fuel to the fire and making ourselves actually look guilty of the falsehood? As I read this account of Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses, the one thing that stood out was that Moses never spoke up in his own defense. In keeping silent, he gave room for God to speak on his behalf. What better defense can we have than to let God vindicate us when others have spoken badly about us? The best defense we have against gossipers and people who try to malign our name is to live a righteous life before the Lord. 1 Peter 3:13-17 tells us that we are blessed if we suffer for righteousness’ sake. 1 Peter 3:16 reads, “Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” John the Baptist faithfully served God, and people accused him of being possessed, and Jesus was perfect, yet, people spoke ill of Him (Matthew 11:18-19). Why would we think that people will not speak ill of us? Even when Jesus was insulted, He did not insult them in return. 1 Peter 2:23 tells us, “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”. In this instance, God spoke directly to Miriam and Aaron, in defense of His servant Moses. Today, if we allow God to be our defense, He will send others to who know us and who will speak on our behalf. Proverbs 27:2 reminds us, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” When Jesus stood before Pilate, He remained silent against the false accusations made against Him. This was recorded for us in Mark 15:3-5, “And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, ‘Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!’ 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.” Not only were Jesus and Moses both silent in each of their circumstances, but when they finally spoke, their response was one that is difficult for any one of us to have, even though it is, by far, the best response to those who falsely criticize us. Verse 13 of this chapter tells us, “So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘Please heal her, O God, I pray!’” Luke 23:34 tells us, “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” Moses interceded for Miriam and asked God to heal her. In other words, he showed forgiveness. Jesus cried out for forgiveness during a time when He was suffering most. When we find ourselves in a place of having to defend ourselves against false accusations and criticism, we must be patient, forgive, and allow God to come to our defense, according to His timetable. When we do this, we will give silence time to prevail.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).