Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects real pain when you feel your name and your work are being undermined behind closed doors, and it is right to bring that burden to the Lord who sees what is done in darkness.
God is a God of righteousness and justice and He desires justice to prevail. Scripture describes times when justice stands far off and truth has fallen in the street and fairness cannot enter, when no one is calling for justice or pleading for truth but people trust in empty words and conceive mischief. We see that still today where even the places that should guarantee fairness often fail, and foundations are shaken when judgment is perverted. The Lord does not pervert judgment and He does not pervert justice, though His justice is often questioned. He sees clearly and He will judge the world in righteousness and truth in His time.
Because He sees, you can leave both vindication and promotion in His hands. The Bible teaches that promotion does not come from the east or the west or the south, but God is the judge who puts down one and sets up another. If advancement is from Him, He will lift up in His way and His time. Love does not envy and does not boast or seek to promote itself, and much of the spirit of self promotion that fills the world has also pressed into the lives of believers. To pray to be lifted up in the faces of others so they are shamed comes from that same desire to exalt ourselves, and Scripture warns us not to exalt ourselves but to walk humbly and let God do the lifting.
That does not mean you should ignore wrongdoing. God calls His people to keep judgment and do justice, to live fairly and honestly, not cheating or conniving or taking advantage. Blessed is the person who does what is right and just. So continue to do your work with integrity, to speak truthfully, and to guard your own lips. The proverbs warn that hiding hatred with lying lips is deceitful and uttering slander is foolish, and that in a multitude of words sin is not lacking, but the wise restrains his lips. Ask the Lord to keep you from repaying evil words with evil words.
You can pray honestly that what is hidden be brought into the light, that lies be exposed, that your reputation and livelihood be protected, and that those in authority act with equity. At the same time pray that God would work with mercy as well as justice. Justice calls for a penalty that fits the wrong, mercy is not receiving what we deserve, and the two only meet fully at the cross. The greatest miscarriage of justice in history was when Jesus, who was innocent, was condemned and crucified, yet through that act He bore the penalty so that God's righteous demand for justice was satisfied and mercy could be offered to sinners. That reminds us to desire not only that wrong be revealed but that hearts be changed.
So I will pray with you that the Lord will shine light on what is happening, that He will guard your name and your career, that He will give you wisdom to respond with truth and grace, that He will grant you favor only as He wills and not for the sake of boasting over others, and that He will lead both you and those who oppose you toward repentance and righteousness. Trust Him as the true judge and continue to do what is just and honest before Him.
God is a God of righteousness and justice and He desires justice to prevail. Scripture describes times when justice stands far off and truth has fallen in the street and fairness cannot enter, when no one is calling for justice or pleading for truth but people trust in empty words and conceive mischief. We see that still today where even the places that should guarantee fairness often fail, and foundations are shaken when judgment is perverted. The Lord does not pervert judgment and He does not pervert justice, though His justice is often questioned. He sees clearly and He will judge the world in righteousness and truth in His time.
Because He sees, you can leave both vindication and promotion in His hands. The Bible teaches that promotion does not come from the east or the west or the south, but God is the judge who puts down one and sets up another. If advancement is from Him, He will lift up in His way and His time. Love does not envy and does not boast or seek to promote itself, and much of the spirit of self promotion that fills the world has also pressed into the lives of believers. To pray to be lifted up in the faces of others so they are shamed comes from that same desire to exalt ourselves, and Scripture warns us not to exalt ourselves but to walk humbly and let God do the lifting.
That does not mean you should ignore wrongdoing. God calls His people to keep judgment and do justice, to live fairly and honestly, not cheating or conniving or taking advantage. Blessed is the person who does what is right and just. So continue to do your work with integrity, to speak truthfully, and to guard your own lips. The proverbs warn that hiding hatred with lying lips is deceitful and uttering slander is foolish, and that in a multitude of words sin is not lacking, but the wise restrains his lips. Ask the Lord to keep you from repaying evil words with evil words.
You can pray honestly that what is hidden be brought into the light, that lies be exposed, that your reputation and livelihood be protected, and that those in authority act with equity. At the same time pray that God would work with mercy as well as justice. Justice calls for a penalty that fits the wrong, mercy is not receiving what we deserve, and the two only meet fully at the cross. The greatest miscarriage of justice in history was when Jesus, who was innocent, was condemned and crucified, yet through that act He bore the penalty so that God's righteous demand for justice was satisfied and mercy could be offered to sinners. That reminds us to desire not only that wrong be revealed but that hearts be changed.
So I will pray with you that the Lord will shine light on what is happening, that He will guard your name and your career, that He will give you wisdom to respond with truth and grace, that He will grant you favor only as He wills and not for the sake of boasting over others, and that He will lead both you and those who oppose you toward repentance and righteousness. Trust Him as the true judge and continue to do what is just and honest before Him.
