When they manipulated the stock market,On the Road from Samaria, Jesse
I remained silent;
I was making money and felt superior to the crowd.
When they silenced their critics,
I remained silent;
I was self-righteous and felt they got what they deserved.
When they came for the blue collar workers,
I did not speak out;
I enjoyed my superior social status and the cheap consumer goods.
When they came for my neighbor's possessions
I remained silent;
I was afraid and jealous and glad to see him brought down.
When they grew richer and more powerful
I accepted their lies in silence;
I wanted to gain their favor and be one of them.
When they came for me,
and sent me to a camp as a useless eater
I reaped what I had sown.
"Our hearts are continually prone to wander from Him. It is an unspeakable mercy that the Father comes with His chastisement, makes the world round us all dark and unattractive, leads us to feel more deeply our sinfulness, and for a time lose our joy in what was becoming so dangerous. Though He has indeed no pleasure in afflicting us, He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but guide His beloved child to come home."
Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ, 1895