SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2:23
(NIV)
When they hurled their
insults at (Jesus), he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
STORY:
When a newspaper had published false and misleading accounts
concerning a certain man, the man went to Dr. Edward Everett to inquire what action
Everett would recommend. After listening patiently to the man’s complaints,
Everett said: “My dear sire, do nothing. Half the people who buy that paper
never saw the article about you. Half the people who did see it failed to read
it. Half of those who read it failed to understand it. Half of those who
understood it knew you and refused to believe it. Half of those who believed it
were people of no consequence anyway.”
OBSERVATION:
It is hard not to take personally the attacks that can be
leveled at us. It is hard not to put up a defense. It is particularly hard not
to walk around thinking that everyone thinks the same way. It is hard not to
retaliate.
Why is it so hard? Because we taught from an early age to
get even … to pay back … to stand up for ourselves … to stand our ground … to
defend our self … to take nothing from no body … to not allow anyone to get
away with anything … and the list goes on. We’ve been trained and we have
learned the lesson well.
But, we have to believe what Jesus believed … that God is in
complete control … God is in charge … and we do not have to repay evil with
evil (Romans 12:17). Jesus didn’t need
to defend himself because he knew that is God’s job. Jesus didn’t need to make
a case against his enemies because he knew that God knew all the facts. Jesus
didn’t have to trust in his own abilities because he knew that God was more
powerful than his enemies.
It IS hard not retaliate, but alternative do we really have?
PRAYER:
Help us to trust you for the outcome. Help us to live our
life to your glory. Help us to rely on you in all situations. Help us really
believe that you are totally in charge.
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