Sticky situations

 

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.

Praise the Lord!” Psalm 149:6-9

Holidays are great. We get a break from our daily routines and get to see family, enjoy good food, exciting gift purchasing and movie nights. But this is also a time where we visit relatives we normally don’t interact with much during the year. We may not have much in common with some, or agree in important areas with others or worse; blatant sin is starring us in the face without any trace of shame or excuse. I call these; sticky situations. What do we do when a son brings his boyfriend to dinner and they announce that they wish to marry. What when a marriage is on the rocks and the rest of the family pretends like they are the happiest couple on the planet. Or when you have to attend a Christmas party and see a relative bring his new girlfriend around while he’s still married to another.

These situations are real events and I'm sure you can add a few more that you've been in or witnessed.  How are we to be? Fearful, angry or avoiding the whole thing? This vers really gave me assurance and direction. “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a double edged sword in their hand.” In other words praise and honor God and rejoice in our relationship with Him but also have this sword ready to be used. This sword is not a physical weapon like the swords men once used in combat. This sword is a spiritual weapon.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb.4:12

The Word of God is much more precise at separating the false from the true; the good from the bad; the very thoughts and intents of man's heart from his actions. There is not a man or woman alive who is exempt from this sword which comes forth from the mouth of our risen Lord. This two-edged sword is the Word of God. If they will receive the words that Jesus spoke, they will work a change within them. They will be made into the very image of our Lord. If they resist and fight against the words that Jesus spoke, the same sword will perform the necessary operations to either bring them into agreement or sever them from His fellowship. According to this vers, the sword, Gods word, executes vengeance, has power to bind kings in chains and to execute on them the written judgement (Ps 146:7-9) In other words, us presenting the truth can free people! Whoever they are and however far gone they are. We are not to give our opinions or emotional pleas in these difficult situations but as ambassadors of Christ, simply be willing to speak His Word in love.

Perhaps the most amazing revelation in all of this to me, has been the last part of the vers; “This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!”

To speak Gods word to people, to teach and to instruct, warn and challenge is an honor! How many times have I dreaded to say the hard things because it's uncomfortable to me. How many times I’ve shrunk back from speaking because of fear of man, instead of seeing it as an honor to be Gods instrument for good in peoples lives, to bring about a transformation.

When faced with the sword of the spirit (the Word of God), none of us will be able to stand. The sword of the Lord will bring instruction and correction to our lives. Proverbs 5:12 ...How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof. Ultimately, each one of us is responsible for how we receive the Word of God when it comes to us. We have the freedom of choice to accept or reject it and there’s no way to avoid it. Let us strive to come into compliance with the Word now, before it comes to us in correction. But let us not be afraid to use His word to help others, no matter how difficult the situation.

Father, grant us a fresh understanding of the power of Your Word, the miracles it has done in us and let us be filled with faith in how it can transform others. Let us listen and be ready when You command us to speak, knowing that it's an honor to speaks Your words. Let us use them wisely, with love and much discernment while praising You. Amen