Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 28, 2014
I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute. Judges 11:27
People may accuse you of wrong when, in fact, they are wrong. You want to admit your mistakes and become a better person. If, however, the motive of your accuser is not right, if he or she is appealing to your guilt and emotions, then reject the false accusations. When the facts are on your side, be patient and wait on the Lord to defend you.
God would not have you caught up in a lot of sideways energy and activity, distracting you from the best use of your time. Some people are very persuasive and convincing with their words, but their character is lacking and their arguments do not add up. Do not lower yourself to their level reacting to their lambasting with an equal fury of words. They do not deserve that much time, attention, and worry. Prayer is your posture.
It is like the bully on the playground trying to get your attention, getting others to cower at his intimidating ways. God is not intimidated by fear tactics, and neither are we. So how do we trust the Lord to defend us in difficult situations? How do we work with a caustic critic who is unreasonable? Seek to stay above the fray of angry arguments.
As you trust the Lord to defend what is right, keep your heart pure. You will be tempted to lash back with infuriating words or, at the other extreme, acquiesce to your critic’s demands. Neither of these options is best. What is right is to stand your ground, involve other people as is appropriate to mediate, and remain friendly, firm, and fair. You may need to seek legal counsel to make sure you are following the due process of the law.
However, your ability to do what is right under a firestorm of criticism from someone you thought was a friend, can be redemptive in the long run. Maybe your critic will wake up to the realities of what is right. Your short-term pain and patience will hopefully save another from long-term trials. God is the ultimate defender of you and His truth.
You cannot keep your reputation stellar and polished, but your Savior can cleanse your soiled status in the community. Submit to Him and trust Him during this lowly time of litigation, because God is the final say in what is right or wrong. He will judge fairly now and in eternity. You can sleep at night because God is in control of this situation. Your appeal is to almighty God.
“This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends his people: ‘See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again’” (Isaiah 51:22).
Prayer: Do I trust the Lord with my defense and my critics?
Related Readings: Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 19:20; 2 Timothy 4:16; 1 John 2:1
Post/Tweet today: As we trust the Lord to defend what is right, we keep our hearts right. #wisdomhunters
Taken from the June 28th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 2” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Free eBook when you sign up 5 friends for the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. www.wisdomhunters.com
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At one time in my life,(to make a long story short) The Lord rose up in me,& said to this person…Leave my hse unspiritual man! He said this 3 times.As he looked at me going towards the door,not wanting to go,but knew something was strange here.He left.I had this weight lift off of me.I realized it was the Holy Spirit.Amen,thank you Jesus!!
This is right on time! I have been dealing will false accusations and outright slander on my job for the last month. Thank you for this message.
Dear Yvette,
We REJOICE in God’s Perfect Timing! Thank you for sharing that with us and I am so thankful you heard His Words through this devotional. It never caeses to amaze me when HE speaks to us through His Word, through others, through devotionals, through circumstances, etc.. We just have to be willing to listen, trust and obey!
One of the wise points that really “spoke to me” in this devotional was “As you trust the Lord to defend what is right, keep your heart pure”.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. Psalm 51:10
Isn’t is incredibly comforting (and reassuring) to know that God is the ultimate judge of right and wrong?
“You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:23-24
Yvette, I am sorry that you are dealing with this at work. Hold onto your Savior, your great defender!
We look forward to hearing from you again. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Dear Janet~
Thank you so much for reaching out to us with your example of trust and obedience as you chose to listen to the Holy Spirit as He spoke to you. Your words are confirmation of the fact that Our Heavenly Father is our ultimate defender! Thank you for sharing your story, so others can be reminded once again to
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all of your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Janet, we are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and we look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne