The American government is diminished by politicians who care more about ‘the win,’ than the people. The powerful cling desperately to their privilege using the mechanisms of government to assure their place at the top! We hate so well, so quickly, so easily. We divide – black and white, rich and poor, conservative and liberal, Christian and Muslim. Husbands and wives, once starry-eyed lovers, sometimes turn into enemies resulting in the tragedy of a divorce war. And yes, children still fight in the backyard, too.
The story from the
early chapters of the Scripture is a prelude to history. It tells of hatred and ends with the oft-repeated
excuse for violence. “Now Abel kept
flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of
the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat
portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on
Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.
So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry?
Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires
to have you, but you must master it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s
go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his
brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother
Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied.
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:1-9, NIV)
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:1-9, NIV)
Am I my brother’s keeper? The
answer is YES! Even if you and I are
not active ‘haters’ we cannot sidestep the violence going on in the rest of the
world. Disciples of Christ Jesus must
first become people of peace and then actively seek peace on behalf of
others. Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will
be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, NIV) The mission of peace-making may strike you as
impractical, even silly. “Come on,
Jerry, get real. The world is an angry place. What can I do about it?” We can begin by being committed to peace
right where we are. We must deal ruthlessly with the hate in our own heart.
We must challenge
hatred when we see it, not with angry displays of power, but with overwhelming
goodness. The wisdom of God guides us. "Never pay back evil with more evil. Do
things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with
everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous
anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them
back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they
are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning
coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t
let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:17-13:1, NLT)
We pray for that
God’s rule will be established, that the Spirit will tear down the tyrannies of
demons who delight in destruction.
God and Father,
break our stubborn wills. Turn our hearts to You.
Break our hearts
with those things that break Your heart.
Secure us in Your
goodness and teach us to live in the ‘peace that passes human understanding.’
We pray earnestly
that Your Kingdom will come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen
The word from the Word
-
"Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away! " (Psalm 34:14, The Message)
"Snub evil and cultivate good; run after
peace for all you’re worth." (1 Peter 3:11, The Message)
______________
Touch Through Me
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others,
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere,
Needing just one friend to care,
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
I will be my brother's keeper
Love through me.
Hearts are bleeding deep inside,
Love can dry the weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
Like a river in the desert,
Flow through me.
Springing fountain, healing stream,
Living water, pure and clean.
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others;
My lips will not be slothful, Lord, to speak.
I will be that Good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in,
Live through me.
Dottie Rambo
© 1981 New Spring
(Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
For use solely
with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All
rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #
810055
No comments:
Post a Comment