The other morning I was driving my son to school and some words suddenly flew out of my mouth that were far from complimentary. A circumstance and person were the cause of my voicing, but my son's ears were the recipients. Almost as soon as the words escaped my tongue, I felt the pain of my speaking. Promptly I asked for my son's forgiveness and we prayed together as we continued on our drive, asking the Lord to purify my heart, thanking Him for His quick prick to my spirit and pleading with Him to bring my thoughts captive.
This morning I read of David sparing Saul's life, but still cutting the hem of his robe. It seems like such a small, insignificant action. In comparison to what could have been done, it was nothing. We might be quick to minimize David's sin against Saul because of Saul's greater offense against David. We view sin in relative terms. Yet, as The Message rephrases this verse, "Immediately, he felt guilty."
At once David acknowledged what he had done was wrong. He realized that he should not have lifted a hand against the Lord's annointed one, for the Lord himself had chosen Saul as king. David measured sin, not by Saul's wickedness, but by God's holiness. Because of his nearness to God, his discernment of wrongdoing increased and his conviction was met by a change in behavior. David realized that momentary revenge was not worth the cost of separation from God.
In the Marine Corps there is a saying, "You don't salute the man, you salute the rank." God had placed Saul in his position as King, and David was willing to honour Saul because of his respect for God.
Beth Moore writes, "One sure measurement of our proximity to God, whether near or far, is the length of time between conviction and repentance."
Your actions and behavior will genuinely reflect your nearness. How close are you to God?
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:18-21
2 comments:
Wow! God has been speakin to me all over the internet today :)
Good message,
Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com
I had this same experience with my son last night! I was tired and wanted the kids to go to sleep, and I said something to my son that I know hurt his feelings. Like you, I apologized and asked him to forgive me, and of course he responded with hugs and kisses. Gods conviction of our heart is such a precious thing. Thanks for sharing!
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