Dear Fellow Children of God,
I once watched a disagreement begin, and grow, and become
somewhat bitter. One person (now
deceased) suggested all choir members wear red on Pentecost Day. The other person (also deceased) replied that
“Red is not my color.” As the
disagreement grew, both people said un-loving words to and about the other. I
heard from each about how they were right.
The reasoning went this way: “If ‘that other person’ has done wrong,
then I must be right.” That
thought process, though seemingly logical, is wrong. Yet, unfortunately, this line of thinking is
not uncommon. I have also found such
assertions when husbands and wives may be at odds. Just because the other person is wrong does
NOT make me right! Actually, being right
is often not being loving!
The truth is that, when there is hurt between two people,
usually both sides have some blame to bear.
The truth is, in God’s eyes, that “all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) When
dealing with others, rather than focusing on what the person who hurt me has
done, it is wise to consider how I might personally have done wrong. When dealing with others, humility is a
virtue which can help relationships grow, rather than cause them to descend
into disagreement, into resentment, and into harsh feelings.
In my current devotional readings I am studying about the
rift between King David and his son, Absalom.
This is a sad chapter in the reign of King David with many mistakes on
both sides of this division. However,
there is a way, which is still striking, in which David showed humility. As David and his followers fled Jerusalem,
and fled a coming attack by Absalon and his followers, some people helped David
in his escape. However, others sought to
grow the disagreement. A certain man
named Shimei cursed David as he fled, and threw stones at him. Abishai, one of David’s cousins and soldiers,
wanted to cut off Shimei’s head. David,
perhaps surprisingly, first confessed that he is not God, “If he is cursing
because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have
you done so?'" (2 Samuel
16:5-13) David did not know the mind of God in this dispute. Yet David did know his own mistakes.
Nevertheless, imagine the king of Israel submitting to such mis-treatment!
However, David then trusted himself to God’s
righteousness and care, “12 It may be that the LORD will look on
the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing
today." 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei
went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones
at him and flung dust.” (2 Sam.
16:12-13) So, David first acted in humility, and then trusted himself to the
Lord’s care.
Such humility in personal relationships is taught in Old
and New Testaments. In Proverbs 25 God
says, “21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if
he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning
coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22) Paul repeats this wisdom from
Proverbs and adds more instruction in Romans 12, “18 If possible,
so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved,
never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance
is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ 20 To the contrary, ‘if your
enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for
by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ 21 Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21)
The ultimate example of such humility is found in the
righteous Son of God, our Savior, Jesus.
Peter teaches, “19 For this is a gracious thing, when,
mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For
what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if
when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the
sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ
also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his
steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit
found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in
return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself
to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on
the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:19-24)
As I share how God calls us “not to return evil for evil,”
I rejoice that I saw just the opposite happen recently. I saw two people reconcile. They had once been fast friends, but a rift,
somewhat understandably, had separated them for years. However, I saw them embrace one another and
move toward the future. Both people are
Christian.
Therefore, we have some lessons to learn. First, just because others act wrongly, does
not make me right. Such self-righteousness
blinds me to my own sins. Truthfully,
only Jesus is righteous.
Second, when we take vengeance we place ourselves into
the role of judge, taking the place of God, Himself. We are to let God bring punishment, not take
it ourselves.
Third, because of our sin, God calls us to act in
humility, considering my own failings when faced with the wrongs of
others. How can I look down on someone
else for their wrongs, when I am a sinner myself?
Finally, we can count on the Lord to act in grace and
righteousness. When we deserve
punishment, the just payment for our sins, God has saved us sinners through the
suffering and death of His Son, Jesus. Our Lord calls us to follow Jesus in
dealing with the wrongs we face from others.
Ultimately, when I feel wronged, I can trust God’s love for me in Jesus. I can act in humility and kindness, even when
others hurt me. Such humble wisdom is more
easily said than done. That is why we
need a Savior. That is why we need
Jesus.
May our Lord work reconciliation with others in our lives.
May such reconciliation show that His mercy for us does indeed have power in
this world.
A Child of God, Seeking Humility and Faith in Jesus for
When I am Wronged,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o On
Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. we are studying the book of Ephesians downstairs
in the fellowship hall, using the CPH “Lifelight” Bible Study. There are still
some lesson books available. Class
begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
o Lay
Ministry Classes – I am teaching a class on the Sacraments AFTER worship
on Sundays. However, in addition to our Lay Worship
Leaders, others may attend if they wish.
Other Activities of Faith:
I am again taking a two-year
journey with my Lord, by reading through the Scriptures using the “Today’s
Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, July 15, I read 2 Samuel 15-16,
about David and Absalom.
You are welcome to join in
this journey of reading God’s Word. You
may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these
readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have
received questions and comments about the readings. It is always good to
consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only
God knows!
P.P.S. Family Fun and Fishing!
·
Yard and Garden –
o My
Garden is doing great. I took no new
pictures during the rain and wind this week.
We just ate spinach and lettuce.
·
Fishing – I was going to fish and golf on Monday, but
the rain, the cool weather, and the wind kept me inside. However, I plan to do some salmon fishing in the
next two weeks!
·
WE DID HAVE VISITORS FROM FLORIDA!
o On
Friday, July 10, Pastor Jeff Shanks from St. John Lutheran in Ocala visited
along with a mission team from his congregation. They are leading Vacation Bible School in Scammon
Bay this week. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wvFzTdgRCbJMVq276
o On
Saturday, July 11, Pastor Chris Kollmann from First Lutheran in Gainesville,
and much family stopped by as they were on the way to Denali National
Park. No pictures yet. They will happen this coming week.
·
On Sunday, July 12, we watched an interesting
sporting event. Our Son, Tim, plays on more
than one softball team. One of his teams
was in the championship game, and actually won , on Sunday night in Talkeetna. However, the real show was the MUD. The championship was the last of 27 games
that weekend. It rained all weekend
long. The field was one big, sloppy, slippery mud puddle. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/v33MMFBkTxYU5ViV6
*******
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of
August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church
in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled,
"Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired many asked me to
continue writing these devotions. So I have continued writing.
However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys
Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior pastor
at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to
receive it. (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for
First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am now serving Anchorage Lutheran
Church as Vacancy Pastor.)
So, if you stopped receiving
these devotions and wondered why, now you understand. And, if you are now
receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know,
and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list. My e-mail
address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these
devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Vacancy Pastor, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1
a)
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