Word of the Day (6-29-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday June 29, 2011

The word of the day comes from 2 Chronicles 20:10-11 NKJV

¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.

My Interpretation

My Bishop, Bishop Charles H. Doom Jr. actually preached almost the entire chapter verses 1-22 entitled “Affirmation of Praise” this past Sunday. It was truly a powerful life altering word. It caused me to revisit my notes and these verses yesterday. As I did, the Holy Spirit began to show me something that Bishop didn’t mention on Sunday regarding these two verses.

I want to title this “Repaying a Reward.” There are three quick points that I want to get into.

Point 1- Just because you help someone in their time of need doesn’t guarantee when their dilemma, situation, chaotic moment passes that they won’t still mean to do you harm. Don’t think that your act of kindness somehow means that you don’t have to worry about that person one day becoming an enemy or a friendemy. ¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. That is very important that you know that and then that you don’t let it affect what God would have you to do for others in a negative way (John 13:35 ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”) which leads me to point two.

Point 2- Knowing this does not give us the right to predetermine not to help certain people because of the possible outcome and only help those who won’t turn around and stab us in the back one day. If that was the model we would use, then none of us would be saved right now because Christ gave His life for our sins yet daily we still find ways to crucify Him all over again. Daily Christ is sitting at the right hand of the Father saying these words as He was being crucified and right before the soldiers stole his clothes and sold them: Luke 23:34 ³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. Christ isn’t saying (thank God) these people continue to get caught in the same sin, treat each other and Me any kind of way, and continually find ways to hurt one another. Christ isn’t saying you know what, I know that even though I came to give you life, some of you won’t accept it, some of you will reject it and Me, some of you will try to make others believe I don’t exist so I’m not dying for you. Nope the bible says But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…Romans 5:8. Remember Matthew 5:43-48 is about loving your enemies and being kind to those who won’t necessarily be kind back to you or who may turn around and accept your kindness one minute and try to backstab you the next. ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Point 3- Don’t try to retaliate, bring it to God; let God deal with the issue. Too often we want to play Charles Bronson in Death Wish, Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry or any other vigilante movies we can think of. We want to live an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If you notice what takes place in today’s scriptures is that they were speaking to God regarding the issue. You can never go wrong when you decide to go to God over the issue that you are having with someone you were kind to who has decided to turn against you. Allow God to dictate to you what to do and allow Him to fight your battles for you. Hebrews 10:30 ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” Romans 12:19 ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 ¹⁸ You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. ³⁵ Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

In closing, don’t let the reactions of others stop you from being blessed and a blessing to others. Don’t let their actions stop you from reaching out to others in need. And DON”T try to retaliate let God fight for your battles. ¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.

Have a wonderful, blessed, productive, stress free day!