Father, this is a very odd Christmas season for me. I’m grasping for the joy I normally feel and though I may lay hold of it, it is fleeting. Fill me anew with You! Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (<<click here to read the passage)
“no…evil for evil” “do good”
Lord, this is really a very simple concept but is definitely counter-cultural! Our knee-jerk reaction is to respond in like manner – you hurt me, I hurt you! (Worse if possible!) But that reaction is totally, without question, not You. You, the Creator of all that is, Almighty (emphasis on the all) God have every reason to punish Your rebellious (putting it very mildly) creation. And pointedly our punishment is death and rightly so. The Bible is replete with accounts where Your punishment was meted out and, in every instance, it was justified. But also, in every instance punishment was preceded by innumerable attempts at reconciliation! You are patient and oh so longsuffering. Thank You for Your unsurmountable love!
Ultimately You came to teach us and love us face to face and our response was to return evil for love, ultimately nailing You to a cross… Reason for retaliation? Definitely! But did You? No!! You are the epitome of LOVE! Evil…for evil? Nope! It’s not even an option!
Lord, help me to overcome my tendencies to give evil for evil. I am not a vengeful person, but I do have a temper and only You can help me temper that temper. May every molecule of my being radiate Your love! May it control my actions and my words in every situation, no matter how difficult. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Enable me to “do good to all people.” With Your power and wisdom and love, I can do it!
(July 31st, 2015, Fri, 6:44 am)
Dec 8th, 2022, Thurs, 5:56 pm
