Can We Keep Silent?

“The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Am 3:8 AV)

This is the heart of the preacher!  If God said it, it must be declared!  If God published it, it must be spoken!  If we ever loose that heart, the gospel will cease.  If the preacher ever loses the integrity to declare the truth of God’s word, then no one will ever hear.  God has chosen the vessel of men to reach other men.  There is no other way.  Gabriel is not going to descend with a host of heaven to visit the souls of the lost in an attempt to win them to Christ.  In fact, Jesus Himself could only must a congregation of 500, yet a few months later, the disciples where blessed with a congregation of 3,000.  Jesus told us that when He ascended a greater than He would indwell us.  He told us that when he ascended, we would do greater works than He.  It is because of the great privilege of the prophet to declare God’s truth.

What is astounding is the habit of publishing bad news verses good news.  Gossip is hard to stop.  Yet all that needs to happen is a little hurdle, and the preaching of the gospel ceases.  We will go the extra mile to spread falsehoods and talebearing, but if we are the least bit tired, we stay home from soul winning.  We will risk envy, malice, and broken relationships to reveal hidden transgressions, but we are too afraid to hand the checkout clerk an invitation to church.

The LORD is asking a simple question.  He is stating an obvious truth.  When God speaks, who can but help to share it with others.  It would be the natural response by the child of God to repeat his Father’s words.  “My daddy told me this” is a common playground boast.  What has happened to us?  Why are we silent?  Are we not proud enough of our Father that we no longer boast of Him?  Do we ever need revival!