Difficult Questions

(Pro 24:6 KJV)  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

As I worship in study this morning I came across this verse and it brought to mind discussion I have heard, read or been a part of in recent days.  Many of us feel like the forces of evil are moving in our country, that the protections we have known for years are being stripped away.  We are watching the government close down churches and tell people if they can worship or not.  Some local governments have even come for them in their homes.  We see laws being passed that would make it illegal to preach Biblical truth about things like homosexuality.  At times it seems like the only answer involves violence.

Yet we have the command of Jesus to turn the other cheek.  We see the call to leave vengeance up to the Lord.  Some would like to paint Christianity as totally pacifistic.  This is a debate that goes back to the early years of the church.  On the other side you have verses like this.  One reason it stood out to me is that you have almost the same comments at Proverbs 20:18.

So?  There are principles and there are rules.  There is a difference between vengeance and taking up the sword against evil.  All of this requires us to be diligently seeking to know how God would have us act.  Obedience and trust make restless bedfellows sometimes.