What about today’s conflicts?

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged. . . . the city was filled with the confusion. . . . some cried out one thing, some another. . . . the assembly was in confusion. . . .  for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”. . . . the town clerk quieted the crowd, he said. . . . “the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis. . . .  these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. . . . . For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:30–41)

These days with certain leaders part of great conflicts, I’m encouraged by this passage. The Christians were threatened because the idol makers were afraid their business was in danger. This was not a battle about truth, but about money. However, it was settled by a third party who simple suggested if the idol was in control, they had nothing to worry about. 

He didn’t say “If Paul’s message is true, you better pay attention” yet that pops into my mind as I’m hearing both sides of a debate over one leader. Some say he is right and has a righteous plan, and others say he is deranged and destructive. With this story, the solution is not to riot over it, or let personal fears cause conflict. For Christians, the solution is to trust God. In this event, the believers were taken captive but they did not retaliate or even verbally respond. And how did God rescue them? He sent an unnamed town clerk who reminded the fearful idol worshipers to do things lawfully rather than be charged with rioting over something they could not justify.

In other words, the Christians were not breaking any laws. What does that tell me? Behave during these current events just as they did. Let the opposition to righteousness do whatever they are doing and let God take care of His people and take care of those who are more worried about money and their reputation, etc. than about their accountability to God. He will use whatever method needed to keep His promises to care for His people.

Lord, when I saw the topic for today, at first I didn’t see what it had to do with me, but today we are spending time with a person that thinks the idol worshippers in world leadership are going to win. My reaction was to oppose that notion, but now see that I just need to trust You. You will do whatever is right and I do not need to say anything or try to prove that these leaders are far more interested in self and power than they are in blessing others. Grant me the grace to stay silent. You are sovereign and always love and protect Your children. In this case, I don’t need to say a word. Amen.