Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1
“A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.”
John Calvin in a letter to Margaret Navarre in 1001 Quotations That Connect: Timeless Wisdom for Preaching, Teaching, and Writing (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009) 170.
There is one thing I will never for get about Joy St. Clare. She only barked when she felt that we were in danger. Seriously, she almost never barked. But, if there was a stranger at the door, or if she was startled in some way, she would make this “woof” sound. It made us feel protected.
Do we make noise when God’s truth is attacked? Related to generosity, do we “woof” when worldly thinking on money prevails around us? This matters because it’s everywhere. We are cowards if we remain silent. Joy would not remain silent. Neither can we.
Live differently, especially when under attack. Give generously in defense of God’s truth.