Monday, March 2, 2015

Gotcha!

"........ His name was Shimei son of Gera. As he followed along he shouted insults and threw rocks right and left at David and his company, servants and soldiers alike. To the accompaniment of curses he shouted, “Get lost, get lost, you butcher, you hellhound! GOD has paid you back for all your dirty work in the family of Saul and for stealing his kingdom. GOD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. Look at you now—ruined! And good riddance, you pathetic old man!” (2 Samuel 16:5-8 MSG)


We live in a time where people really enjoy catching someone making a mistake. In the same instance we also live in a time when people hate to admit errors. That is a tenuous combination. These circumstances lead to bitter division amongst people. I think it's fair to say, our planet has never been more divided in all of history. People are filled with such hate that they are blinded by it so much they lose all capacity for compassion. 

How can we deal with such a time as this?

We can do as David did? David is just like us. He messed up. He couldn't admit he was wrong and it led him to dig himself a very deep hole that he never recovered. He realized his sin after it was too late. So he suffered this attack and barrage of insults. What did he do? Nothing! He didn't retaliate. He didn't use his power to silence the critic. He just kept marching forward. 

I wish we could react in the same way. 

We need to learn to handle insult. We need to learn to ignore the attacks. We need to lighten up and realize we can overcome without vengeance. We need to leave the judgment and the "get even" mentality with the Lord. He will deal with it in his own time. Our duties do not include payback. We are just to love one another and that's it! We, as far as we can, are to destroy hate, love our enemies and share Jesus with all of them. That is our great commission. We are not in the gotcha business!

Dear Lord, give us the strength to love and not judge. Help us to leave judgement and vengeance to you. You are our protector, your timing is perfect and you do not need our help! Help me to be a more loving and compassionate person . Help me to model that compassion and grace after the one who sacrificed everything for me. Thank you Lord! Praise God for your perfect love! Amen!

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