This year may be a year of trials - learning to lean on Him in all situation and learning to trust that in ALL situations - even the ones when you think you are so right and you just need to prove your point and get it through to them because if you don't it will be an injustice - TRUST He will make it right in His timing. He is just.
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."
Deuteronomy 32:4
Words that caught my eye when reading this verse:
Perfect - complete, unblemished, uprightly
Just - the Hebrew word here is, mishphat. translated means, judgement, arrangements, decisions.
We are not the judge. He is. He will make it right, whatever the situation is, He will make it right, wether that be now, in the future or in eternity. We are the ones judged. It is not up to us to make sure people act, respond and think the way we think they should. It is our job to love them, regardless.
Bensons Commentary on this verse states,
"He is a rock — Stable in his nature, invincible in his power, fixed and immutable in his counsels, promises, and ways; so that if there should be a sad change in your affairs, remember that this proceeds from yourselves, and from the change of your ways toward God, and not from God, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, James 1:17. His work is perfect — All his works, whether of creation, providence, or grace, and all his actions are unblameable, perfect, wise, and righteous. All his ways are judgment — His dealings with you his people, and his administrations in the world toward all mankind, are just and holy in the highest degree. A God of truth — Ever faithful and constant to his promises. This seems to be mentioned in opposition to the infidelity and inconstancy of Israel, which he speaks of afterward. And with out iniquity — Although we are often ignorant of the methods and reasons of the divine procedure, yet it is as impossible there should be injustice or iniquity in God, as that infinite and unchangeable wisdom should act foolishly, or essential goodness should degenerate into malice, or, in the Scripture language, that light should become darkness. Just and right is he — Righteous in all that he doth. How should he do wrong, all whose actions are necessarily founded on perfect and immutable wisdom, justice, and equity?"
Questions to ask yourself.. and honest answers from me.
When do I try to be the judge?
In this season of life, parenting seems to be my answer for everything and this question follows the pattern. Sometimes I fall into the trap and the lie of "I'm going to yell in order to prove my point to them, so they know just how upset I am with them." Time and time again, what this does, is teaches them how to respond ....and they end up reacting with the same harsh tone when they end up in similar situations. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1) Let's be honest...I'm pretty sure we can all recall a time when we answered in a harsh way, wether it be with your children, your spouse, your friends or family and how that ended for us.
What to do?
If we step in and try to teach someone a lesson, prove a point or be the judge, we are telling God that we can teach them better than He can.
Response:
Father, what is it that you want me to do in response to what I've learned?
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."
Deuteronomy 32:4
Words that caught my eye when reading this verse:
Perfect - complete, unblemished, uprightly
Just - the Hebrew word here is, mishphat. translated means, judgement, arrangements, decisions.
We are not the judge. He is. He will make it right, whatever the situation is, He will make it right, wether that be now, in the future or in eternity. We are the ones judged. It is not up to us to make sure people act, respond and think the way we think they should. It is our job to love them, regardless.
Bensons Commentary on this verse states,
"He is a rock — Stable in his nature, invincible in his power, fixed and immutable in his counsels, promises, and ways; so that if there should be a sad change in your affairs, remember that this proceeds from yourselves, and from the change of your ways toward God, and not from God, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, James 1:17. His work is perfect — All his works, whether of creation, providence, or grace, and all his actions are unblameable, perfect, wise, and righteous. All his ways are judgment — His dealings with you his people, and his administrations in the world toward all mankind, are just and holy in the highest degree. A God of truth — Ever faithful and constant to his promises. This seems to be mentioned in opposition to the infidelity and inconstancy of Israel, which he speaks of afterward. And with out iniquity — Although we are often ignorant of the methods and reasons of the divine procedure, yet it is as impossible there should be injustice or iniquity in God, as that infinite and unchangeable wisdom should act foolishly, or essential goodness should degenerate into malice, or, in the Scripture language, that light should become darkness. Just and right is he — Righteous in all that he doth. How should he do wrong, all whose actions are necessarily founded on perfect and immutable wisdom, justice, and equity?"
Questions to ask yourself.. and honest answers from me.
When do I try to be the judge?
In this season of life, parenting seems to be my answer for everything and this question follows the pattern. Sometimes I fall into the trap and the lie of "I'm going to yell in order to prove my point to them, so they know just how upset I am with them." Time and time again, what this does, is teaches them how to respond ....and they end up reacting with the same harsh tone when they end up in similar situations. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1) Let's be honest...I'm pretty sure we can all recall a time when we answered in a harsh way, wether it be with your children, your spouse, your friends or family and how that ended for us.
What to do?
- Surrender - my need for controlling the situation, other people decisions, my need to prove a point, to be the judge of what I think is right or wrong (how they reacted, what they said, etc.)
- Ask for His perspective. When we see situations through our own perspective they tend to be self-centered - How is affect ME, if they would just react the way I want them to, things would be better for ME. I wouldn't be so upset right now, if they would just see MY side of things. (...see where this is going?) When we ask for His perspective, we are able to see a much, much bigger picture.
- "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
- Give grace. We all have been in the wrong before and we all have needed grace at one point or another.
If we step in and try to teach someone a lesson, prove a point or be the judge, we are telling God that we can teach them better than He can.
Response:
Father, what is it that you want me to do in response to what I've learned?