This morning in quiet time, I heard God speak to me, “Be about something, not against something.”
He has been convicting my heart of some hurts that have been threatening to become bitterness. I see it. I have been fighting so hard to remain pure of heart and to forgive, but I find myself wrestling with the injustice of it all. Injustice is like my Achilles heel…when I see injustice in my life or the life of someone near me, I have such a hard time stepping back and letting God come fight the battle, as He said He would. Every time I step aside and allow Him to settle things, I grow so much…
“It is Mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Deut. 32:35
For we know Him Who said, “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” Hebrews 10:30
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19
The hardest part for me is the fact that I desire to be an honest person and sometimes it feels dishonest to act like things are ok, or that I’m not upset. But I’ve discovered that’s just my flesh wanting to give vent to the anger. The Bible tells us to not sin in our anger…I’m just still trying to figure out where that line is…between the human emotion of anger and the sinful exercising of it. I ask God all the time to show me the line, but I still don’t fully know. But I do know this…
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15
I know my posture needs to be that of one who is slow to anger and slow to speak. Oh Lord, help me to be better at this.
In a time when everyone is offended, and stands against something, why not be a person who stands for something? Walk away from offense and walk into your purpose. What does God want you to stand for? In a world that has perverted so much, why not stand for something pure? Something holy? Something just? Something lovely?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
If instead of focusing on our hurts and the injustice we’ve seen, we focus on those verses I think we would be much more content. The walk with Christ was never designed to be easy, it’s designed to refine us, discomfort is simply a part of it all. It’s uncomfortable to do the right thing, sometimes. But that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do. We’re called to a much greater purpose. We are called to be Christ-like.
God, forgive me of my pettiness. I am sorry for times when I haven’t kept quiet like I knew I should. I am sorry for times when I’ve given full vent to my anger. Please redeem those situations. Set a guard over my mouth and help me to be holy. I want to be more like You. I repent of bitterness and anger, and I receive peace and joy. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
365 Days in the Presence 