Them That Are Quiet in the Land

In Psalm 35:20 David describes the godly as “them that are quiet in the land.” This is a great characteristic of the righteous in the Bible. They are quiet, peaceable people; they are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Are Christians today “them that are quiet in the land”? Or are we murmurers, rabble rousers, malcontents?

Do we believe that even the decisions of wicked men are part of God’s plan? (Genesis 50:2, Isaiah 10:6-7, Acts 4:27-28)

Do we believe that God is even in control of the decisions of presidents, governors, and mayors? (Proverbs 21:1)

If we believe these things, then why do we seem so troubled? Why are our social media feeds so full of wrangling about politics and pontifications of doom? Everything is going exactly according to plan.

Yes, make your thoughts known to your civil leaders through available channels. Yes, vote in November to make your voice heard. But don't put too much stock in politics. More importantly, pray. Pray for your civil leaders, and then leave everything in God’s hands; He knows what He’s doing in this situation. In the words of John Newton, “…most of His people may do their country much more essential service by pleading for it in prayer, than by finding fault with things which they have no power to alter.” By making our prayers known to God and leaving off our anxiety about what's happening in the world, the peace of God will guard our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7). With this peace in our hearts, we can then be “them that are quiet in the land.”

Finally, by being those who are quiet in the land, by being the steady, stable ones in the midst of cultural turmoil, we bring glory to God and silence those who would slander God's people. “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:12-17).