Cowardly Silence

“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’  But the people said nothing.” (1 Kings 18:21).

There is a time to talk and a time to be silent.  Jesus “did not open his mouth” (Isa.53:7).  He was silent “as a sheep before her shearers” (Isa.53:7).  This is the silence that we as Christians must learn.  As the Wise Teacher teaches us, we must not be quick to with our mouth (Ecc.5:2).  But there is also cowardly silence.  When Elijah challenged the Israelites who were at Mount Carmel not to wave between two opinions but chose one - whether God or Baal - they said nothing.  But when Elijah said “… The god who answers by fire – he is God” (v.24), then all the people said “What you say is good” (v.24).  You see, they wanted to wait and see who the real God is.  They weren’t able to confess that God is the real God.  Their belief was wavering.  Actually, it was their unbelief (or doubt) that made them to be in silence.  This is cowardly silence.  We must not be silent when it comes to our faith.  We must be able to confess in whom we believe, that is God.  With full assurance and conviction, we must say we believe in God. He is our Lord and Savior.