¹ O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. ² For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves … ¹⁸ That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:1-2, 18)

People of God have always had their detractors. Whether the OT Jews, the NT Christians, or persecuted Christians around the world today, believers have always faced varying degrees of opposition and oppression. If non-believers mocked Christ on the cross, they will do no less to His followers.

The greatest test of faith is God’s silence in the midst of our difficulties, especially when we are persecuted for our faith. Noble, heroic tales of illustrious martyrdoms fascinate us in our youth, inspiring dreams of giving our all for Christ. But when faced with demands to recant our faith, to ease up the pressure, we hear no rousing music in the background, nor flowing oratory of valiant prose describing to an unseen audience our courageous actions. Often there is just silence. Deafening silence. There is no greater screaming silence than the taciturn absence of a response from God.

Great men and women of faith through the millennia have experienced this same thing—even the psalm writers. Even Jesus Christ Himself. On the cross we hear Him cry out the theme verse of Psalm 2, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46, Ps 22:1a). The psalm goes on to say, “Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest” (Ps 22:1b-2).

We desire more than just an answer to our own personal discomfort. We have dared to believe there is a God, and that He is the Creator over all. So when we see evil seeming to dominate the world, and evildoers arrogantly puffing themselves up in sinfulness and distortions of justice, selfishness and brutal oppressions, we want them and the whole world to know there is accountability to God. No matter what happens on the earth, no matter how powerful any political despot or neighborhood bully, workplace harasser or domestic abuser—there is a God to whom all will answer.

Along with the psalmist we plead with God to speak up, to let all know that He is “the LORD…the Most High over all the earth.” He is above presidents, kings, dictators, bosses, manipulators, abusers, bullies, racist bigots, earthquakes, hurricanes or bombs. He is the Most High.

Lord, even when You are silent, I know You are in control. My desire is for You to show Yourself now, plainly, and to put all evildoers in their place now.