Good morning! As I pondered on the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount (our reading for the past few weeks) the focus of my thoughts were the condition of my heart and the heart of those in the world. I ended with Lord, you are so gracious and merciful to guide us with instructions to change our heart and character.
See, I never read these chapters and verses in Matthew as an application to change my heart, in the past, I only read them as rules to follow. However, as I continue to seek the Lord, he continues to change my heart, mature and mold me to the person He desires for me to be. Will you seek Him and allow Him to continue to change you? Enjoy today’s reading and your day.
BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 5:38-42 NLT
“38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21] 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”
REFLECTION
The verses above from the Old Testament are referred to as ‘the law of retaliation’. While the law was written to protect the innocent, Jesus continues to challenge us in these verses to go the extra mile to forgive or keep peace. We are instructed in the Word that the Lord will take revenge and will payback – read Romans 12:17-21 and Jesus’ example is in 1 Peter 2:23 it reads,
“He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
Brothers and sisters, self-control is an art, but when we are surrendered to the Lord, God has a good way of holding us back and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us spiritual self-control – the ability to trust God to take care of a situation or problem. Lord, thank you for giving us time to pause, reflect, and for holding us back from things and actions that would have created greater pain and accountability.
Sisters and brothers, what are the things the Holy Spirit has whispered, “let go and allow the Lord to fight for you (e.g., your reputation, family disputes, anger, etc.)”? ________
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for being such an amazing Father. Lord, you know our heart and yet, you still love us. Lord, you continue to guide us with your steady hand and direct us in the way we should go, and Lord, we thank you for that. Lord, sometimes your instructions seem so hard and difficult, but we thank you for caring enough for us and trying to save us from unnecessary pain and heartache. Lord, continue to work in us. Lord, change us from day-to-day. Create in us a heart that loves you and your word. Lord, move us to act on your behalf as you lead us to be more like you. Lord, let others who see us, say ‘your Father God in Heaven has done a wonderful job raising, molding and shaping you’ or ‘your heart resembles your Father God in heaven’. Lord God, make us more like you. Lord, you know everything, you know every need, you know every fear and every pain of these readers and people in our world. Lord, I ask that you touch them and provide for them in the way that they need you. Lord, heal brokenness and soften hard hearts and heads. Lord, when odds are stacked against us, or people intentionally try to harm us or our character remind us that vengeance belongs to you. Remind us and instruct us on when to stand and when to walk away and watch you handle the situation. Lord, help us to be truthful in all our ways, and let people see you at work in us. Continue to help those who are struggling with anger toward those who wronged them. Comfort those who are working through the stages of forgiveness and have decided to trust you to right the wrong and mend their hearts and minds. Lord, continue to protect us all from mental, verbal, physical, and emotional abuse. Lord, fill us with your peace. In Jesus name, amen.
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