Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- March 16, 2013
“And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:14).
Hard words, hard people, and hard situations are hard to accept. Do you or someone you know feel like you are between a rock and a hard place? Do your options seem like they have dried up? Is your energy to press forward depleted? Perhaps it is time to accept the cold, hard facts of where you find yourself. Reality has a way of catching up with our denial.
It is okay to be optimistic, but not to the peril of ignoring your predicament. Are emotional reactions driving your decisions, or do you prayerfully process the facts clearly and objectively with wise input from others you trust? Do you need to give up something—your house, your car, your career, your travel, or your expectations? What is the Lord asking you to give up so that you can gain Him and His peace? Acceptance requires action.
Furthermore, some people require additional patience and grace to accept. Have others wronged you to the point that your resentment is blocking your acceptance of them? You may justify your rejection of them because of their rejection of you. For example, children and parents can let us down, devastating us, but Christians do not have the option of not accepting them for who they are. Love accepts even unworthy recipients.
Do you find yourself in a situation where you do not feel accepted—a new job, in-laws, a new school, a new city, a new relationship? You can stew in self-pity, or you can take the initiative to reach out to your rejectors. Kindness reaches out and rejects rejection. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 nkjv).
Above all, are you willing to accept God’s call on your life? When His will is uncomfortable and uncertain, will you still follow in trust? Start by accepting Christ by faith as your Savior and Lord, and then continue to accept His commands as evidence that you are His disciple. Acceptance of the Lord allows you to love Him and other people. Acceptance cannot continue alone but is accelerated and accompanied by the Almighty’s grace and love.
Prayer: Do I wholeheartedly accept God’s plan for my life? Whom do I need to accept in love?
Related Readings:
Genesis 4:7; Ecclesiastics 5:19; Romans 11:15; 1 Timothy 1:15 Taken from the March 15th reading in the new 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God” vol. 2… …
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This is a good reminder of acceptance and grace, surrender to God’s will and submission. However, I would also add that we also need to have healthy boundaries when dealing with unhealthy relationships and abuse.
Is n’t it more a case of hate the sin but love and persuade the sinner?
What do you do when you see or encounter something which is seriously wrong or unfair and against God’s guidance? Particularly when this is directed at someone else who cannot easily defend or speak up for themselves.
Don’t Christians have to speak out and take action against such situations?
Should Christians just accept the status quo or challenge it? Aren’t we supposed to be salt and light in the world?