The Silent Majority

The Silent Majority 

I Kings 19:18 NKJV

[18] Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 

Mirriam Webster describes the silent majority as " the largest part of a country's population that consists of people who are not actively involved in politics and do not express their political opinions publicly". While Elijah was dying alone, there was a group of seven thousand men who were on his side, but they did not speak out. These are called a silent majority. This group represents a powerful demographic in political voting process. They can turn election results if they can be mobilized to participate. The problem of this group is that they are silent.

   The popularity of this concept has been attribued to President Nixon who in 1969 turned the tide of feelings towards the Vietnam war. This group represents strength that is unused. This large, politically passive group holds majority opinions without voicing them. If Elijah had the support of at least a thousand of them, the story would have been different.

   Virgil Walker wrote in April 2021 edition of Table Talk Magazine that " Christians are never to be silent about what we believe. We have been commanded in Scripture to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13–16). The previous verse (v. 12) is clear: we are to rejoice and be glad even in the face of persecution. This truth presupposes that we will be attacked by others as we declare truth. As salt, we are a preservative for goodness. Salt was a protectant against putrefaction. What is clear from this example is that as members of the kingdom, we are responsible to stand against the impurity of culture". These silent majority were the  very reason Elijah was depressed. 

   When you feel like Elijah did, remember there is an unspoken majority who support what you are doing. Walker continues, " Jesus also declares that we are light. We are to be “a city set on a hill” that cannot be hidden. In the Old Testament, we find that Israel was to be the “light of the nations” (Isa. 42:6). Jesus would declare that He indeed is the “light of the world” (John 8:12). However, this same verse points to the fact that as followers of Christ, “we will no longer walk in darkness, but we will have the light of life” (v. 12)". Enough of our being a silent majority. Its about time we rise as the light of the world. 

   The problem has always been fear. It generates pragmatism. Walker mourns, "...pragmatism has invaded church culture to such a degree that we have abandoned the notion of an offense in the gospel we preach". Today we call an end to pragmatism and speak for the release of faith to conquer oppositions. Just imagine having seven thousand on your side saying a real " Praise the Lord!". Just imagine it. Good morning.