Today’s Scripture: Matthew 26:10; Isaiah 19:20
I’m writing this devotional not long after several thousands of women converged on Washington, D.C. in an effort to make various statements—about what, I’m still not sure. Some speeches smacked of “male vs. female” disputes. Others took issue with our newly-elected president, while several carried “pro-choice” banners, celebrating abortion. And I imagine a few were just going along with the crowd. Regardless, these women had a venue and a voice, and they wanted to be heard.
The woman in this week’s story serves as a beautiful example for all of us—male and female—to follow. She was verbally attacked by male voices criticizing her humble act of worship. Yet she held her peace. Jesus immediately jumped to her defense. His rebuke of the disciples’ criticism was affirmation of her actions.
If we have a continued need to explain or defend our actions, we may be doing the wrong thing with wrong motives. In his play Hamlet, Shakespeare said, The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
Sometimes our best defense is silence. Then the Lord can speak for us.
- What are times when you feel the urge to defend yourself? How can you wait and let the Lord defend you?
- How difficult is it for you to be silent so God can speak?