2 Kings 7:9 – … We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us…
A few years back at weddings preachers would ask, “If any person can show just cause why this man and woman cannot be lawfully joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.” The meaning was clear: speak now, or shut up forever!
We should never hold our peace when it comes to telling the world what Christ has done for us and what He can do for them.
Christians often hold their peace because of skepticism (vs. 2). They really don’t believe God can do anything. They haven’t seen God move in years, so they simply count God out. Consequently, they hold their peace and don’t say anything.
Many hold their peace because of procrastination (vs. 3). They know what to say, but they just don’t get around to saying it. They put it off. Someone aptly said, “In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.” Time is fleeting, don’t hold your peace. The Lord says, “Come now” (Isa. 1:18) for salvation and for service (Ex. 3:10).
Some hold their peace because of indecisiveness (vs. 4). They just can’t make up their minds what to say, or just when to say it. They are worried about being too soft or too harsh. They are lukewarm, on the fence with a “divided heart” (Hos. 10:2). “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).
Finally, some hold their peace because of egotism (vs. 8). They really don’t care about anyone other than themselves. In the passage the lepers changed their mind because they saw what a great gift they had been given, and then thought about others who needed their help. They then found purpose in their pain and glorified God by fulfilling prophecy. Quit holding your peace. Speak up, share what God has done for you!
