Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- July 7, 2011
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. Psalm 55:12-14
Reproaches from those we have been intimate with cut to the quick. They know our strengths and our weaknesses. They know where we are vulnerable. They know how to exploit our struggles and take advantage of our good will. It is as if you have been emotionally naked with someone, and now you feel embarrassed because of his or her indiscretions. What happened to the person you once knew? How could you have been so deceived? It may have been a decade of deceit embedded in your marriage vows. It may have been financial fraud and embezzlement over a long period of time. It may be a hidden addiction that has all the while hijacked your relationship for their credibility.
Our Lord Jesus, of course, had one for whom he trusted to the point of managing the money. He was close to Christ in proximity, but far away in faith. For Judas, it was all about the cash. Money motivated him in the beginning, and money was his downfall in the end. Money-motivated men may be pleasant on the outside, but they are full of themselves on the inside. They set you up for their own selfish purposes. We see it so clearly after the fact. But in the beginning, we can be easily deceived. Therefore, really get to know someone before you heavily invest. In time, they can be trusted.
Avoid the temptation to reject those who have rejected you. This is our natural response. However, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, our right response is to forgive their failings, regardless of how radical their behavior. We are all candidates for sin, even gross sin. Without God’s grace and the accountability of a committed community of believers, we are deceivers with the best of them. The worst deceivers have been the most deceived. Paul stated well our role toward those trapped in sin: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Yes, rejection by a trusted friend is fiendish and false-hearted. However, we are called to be forgiving and pure-hearted. Do not stoop to their standards that are sub par to your Savior’s. By God’s grace, rise above rejection.
Taken from reading #41 in the new upcoming (release date September) 90-day devotional, Seeking God in the Psalms.
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very on time word from the Lord for such a time as this.
God bless you all!
T
This is a timely article for me as our church has split and caused a separation of friends. Our fellowship group that once was fun with deep sharing is now tense and trust seems to be wavering. We are one of two couples that have gone with the new church from a group of 14 couples. Your comment not to reject the rejecter is what I needed to read. I need to remember that we are all the Body of Christ.
This brought tears to my eyes and was just what I needed to hear today. My husband walked out on our marriage 7 months ago with no warning. The rejection aspect of it has hit me hard for the past week for some reason. Thanks so much for your devotion of encouragement!
I recently had this happen to me by a man I thought was a “Christian” brother…only to find out after letting him live in my home after his wife left him and he had lost his home that he had lied, and stolen from me…I am still devastated but realize and accept this is a lesson I was meant to experience…I have forgiven him but I certainly don’t want to put myself in a position where I can be “hurt” further…i don’t plan to see him again unless it’s purely by accident and if that happens I’ll be cordial but will not allow myself to be victimized again…I will never let him in my heart again…he’s untrustworthy and a liar. I hope he repents at some point because his life is a mess and he has no “real” friends…we all have our own journey to complete…my hope and prayer is that our loving Father will show him the error of his ways…right now I view him as a “pretend friend” and a “pretend Christian”…displays all the symptoms of a “psychopath”…no feeling or emotion for others…no wonder two wives have left him and he has no friends…”we reap what we sow”…
I’m thankful for the lessons I’ve learned by knowing such rejection, and the opportunity to pray and when I ask God, “why did this betrayal of a beloved friend have to happen?” God taught me how to trust him more, and receive his comfort, and know that Jesus knew such rejection, but loved none the less. Only when we are so broken, can the love of the Lord shine brightest to a dark world. It is indeed something we endure by the strength of the God who knows it all. He is faithful, and He is Amazing! I appreciate this lesson. Grace received and extended must make the devil really really mad!! Victory in Jesus is all I can say.