Neither By Violence Nor By Revenge
The meek shall inherit the earth.
By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze
...
Often, you encounter people who are shouting in prayer, noisy in worship and violent in demonstration. They shout so loud as if loudness drives away demons. They worship in a noisy manner as if God is deaf. And they kick their legs and bang their hands as if force scars away the evil spirits. All these are the teachings and practice of religious leaders, who are not spiritually awake, enlightened and experienced. They follow the false imaginations of their hearts.
When you caution those noisy worshippers to mellow down, they say that since the time of John the Baptist, the violent take the kingdom of heaven by force. In other words, they want to retake the kingdom by violence too.
Let them hear the words of the Almighty. “Not by power nor by might, but by my spirit,” says the Lord. And Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. He never said that the violent shall enter the kingdom.
Every form of noise is unacceptable to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, shouting prayers, worshipping in a noisy manner are the ways of those who are spiritually dead or blind. You may pray aloud or sing praises when it is necessary to do so. But that must not amount to unnecessary inconveniences and disturbances. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24
Silence is the abode of God,
and quietness, the gateway into His presence.
Your silent prayers and thoughts
sound like thunder and lightening
before the throne of God.
What did Moses tell the Israelites at the Red Sea? He said, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:13-14
What did David tell Goliath? David said, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45-47
And what assurance did scriptures give to God's people? The scriptures say,
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You .
Isaiah 26:3
How did Jesus confirm these sayings? Jesus said, "28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Finally,
15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
Isaiah 30:15