Matthew 2; Exodus 22-23; Proverbs 10
From the moment Jesus was born on this earth, there were people who loved him and people who wanted to destroy him. The same is true for today. There are people who are completely devoted to The Lord, and those that want to rid the earth of the name of Jesus. We like to think times are so much worse today, but reading the stories of Jesus shows that there was corruption, murder, genocide, hatred, just as much then as today.
The consequences for wrong doing are significant—often in God's word a person must pay back four or even five times what was taken or destroyed. And anyone who mistreats widows and orphans, God returns the 'favor' by making widows and orphans of their families. That is not a light command. And yet, The Lord says that we are not to favor the poor just because they are poor. It is about doing what is right, not just having favoritism for one group because of who they are. God wants us to help those in need, but not just because they are in need, but because it is the right thing to do.
Another interesting point that it makes is not to speak evil of God or of our leaders. The command is that even if I don’t like someone, or they are my enemy, I need to help them if I can. I think of some people who irritate me. I have to continue to help them. To ignorethem just because they irritate me is not doing my God-given duty. Those God particularly cares about in this passage are widows, orphans, and foreigners (immigrants). How can we do more to help these people?
Several months ago, I prayed this prayer:
Lord, Austin and I are working hard—at least we think so. We are trying to be smart with our money, giving some of it back to you and your kingdom and saving it too. I pray that if there are other areas where we are not being wise with our finances or we are being lazy, please show those to us and give us the faith to be obedient to your calling.
What is interesting is that God did call us to do something--sell our house and get out of debt--and we are doing it! This week we are moving into our smaller, less expensive home so that we can honor God with our money. We wanted to tell our money what to do, rather than being controlled by our money. I praise The Lord for how he has worked this out for good!
And the truth is, listening and obeying is the key for a good and blessed life. If talking, if journaling, was all I did with God's Word, then I would never be blessed or be a blessing to others. A while back I asked The Lord to give my soul wisdom to know how to obey and courage to do so. This proverb is all about doing versus talking; there is power of the former, while the latter leads to destruction and worthlessness. I hope that the Lord teaches us to obey without fear, without hesitation. Teach us to love (to do) unswervingly and without concern. I pray that our words are life to others and that our lives (our actions) shine of Jesus.
P.S. Funny verse: “But if you are stupid, you will be beaten with a stick.” That's what it says. :-)
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