Participate Anyway

Participate Anyway

Galatians 4:¹⁷ Those other people show a deep interest in you, but their intentions are not good. All they want is to separate you from me, so that you will have the same interest in them as they have in you. ¹⁸ Now, it is good to have such a deep interest if the purpose is good—this is true always, and not merely when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you. ²⁰ How I wish I were with you now, so that I could take a different attitude toward you. I am so worried about you!

 

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After a long day I sat on the bus headed home. Traffic was thick so we creeped down the street. I looked out the window and saw people from my school taking an alternate route since the main one was filled. I could also see thugs waiting to rob them.

 

• I felt there was nothing I could do.
• I felt bad for the those who were about to be victimized.
• I felt angry at those who were trying to take advantage of others for their own gain.

 

Paul expresses his deep concern for those who have turned away from the saving message of JESUS to follow other messages that provided temporary hope. Thieves desiring attention were busy trying to steal love versus living it. All Paul could do is be concerned from a distance. It seemed hopeless.

 

My Observations

• When I see someone being wronged, I can ask GOD to intercede.
• GOD lets me know that prayer is more powerful than thieves, even though it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.
• Vengeance is for the LORD so my participation is for all people involved to receive HIS mercy.

 

It is painful to watch someone try to steal people’s hearts. I mean, those who are hurt try their best to keep other people hurt because misery loves company. BUT GOD holds the key to that situation.

 

It takes faith to let go of the obvious trap you can see someone walking into. GOD sees the heart of those who are being victimized and those who are being predators. HE hears your prayers even though you may have to participate from a distance. I am glad GOD intervenes and intercedes for those HE is bringing back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What “other people” is the writer speaking about?
• Can you feel the writers pain and passion for everyone he spoke the gospel to?
• If you see someone intentionally trying to hurt someone and you are not able to directly intervene, will you participate anyway by asking GOD for HIS protection and mercy?

Ill intent seeks bad advice

2 Samuel 13: ³ Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. ⁴ He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

⁵ “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

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After being told I would fail the class, I sought the advice of people who could help me. They asked the professors name and the location of the office. These were strange pieces of information, but I told them. They asked very clearly, “do you want the test?”

I considered it. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I was performing so poorly in the class, that even having the test would not help me. “No” I answered pitifully.

• I can always find someone who will go along with my poor thinking.
• I can always get advice from people who do not have the best plan for me in mind.
• I can always obtain bad consultation from people of bad reputation.

The story of Amnon was tragic. Many were spiritually, emotionally and physically hurt all because of a plan that started off in the wrong direction followed by advice from a person with a poor reputation. It reminds me of many plans I have that were not blessed of GOD. Each plan failed miserably with not so good consequences. BUT GOD has a better plan.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS plan for they never fail.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS ways for they protect and keep me.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS love for me and others and to never mistreat souls who belong to HIM.

When my intentions are focused on GOD I can never fail.

• Are you planning something and getting advice from someone who is questionable?
• Are you providing advice without consulting GOD?
• Can you seek wisdom from a godly person, not just a churchy person?
• Won’t you test all advice to see if it aligns with what GOD says to do?