God’s amazing patience

When I read or hear of people injuring people, it makes me want to punish them. Is this a tiny taste, a very tiny taste of God's emotions toward injustice and sin? And what about my own sin? The many times I’ve ignored His will to do my own?

Adam was punished for one sin, Moses excluded from Canaan for a his unbelieving words. Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives for one sin against the Holy Spirit. One sin ruined the beauty of the world, defaced the works of God, and separated humanity from our Creator.

How many contradictions against Himself has God experienced? Is not the greatest miracle His patience with our/my sinfulness? Sins of ignorance. Deliberate or careless sin. Neglecting to do what I know I should do. Numerous, constant, unloving, not listening. O admirable patience! He bears with many sins of humanity, but does not bear with sinning angels for one sin.

He warns those who hear His Word: “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3–4)

The patience of God makes me ask the same questions as the NT writer: “What is man, that you are mindful of him” yet the answer is quickly given in the Son of man who was “made for a little while lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” (Hebrews 2) This Son is Jesus, God in human flesh…

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18)

And because of Him, God is patient with me. He bore all that sin and set me free from its penalty. To this, the NT warns to hang in there, to respond to Him and live out the truth of what He has done:

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. . . . For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12–19)

They failed because of a lack of faith. Since faith comes by hearing, how important to be hearing the Word of God. 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:6–12)

Charnock offers this incredible thought: “And there is good reason to think that the patience exercised towards some, before converting grace was ordered to seize upon them, will bear a great part in the anthems of heaven.”

Yet even here and now, I can rejoice in the same way Paul expressed: “I received mercy for this reason, that in me… Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:16–17)

PRAY: Again today You startle me and leave me shaking with both conviction and joy. Yes, my sins are a numerous as eye blinks, yet Your patience led You to the cross to die for each one — because You love me. I am overwhelmed at this, not only about my messy life, but about Your incredible patience, a mercy given not only before I knew You but that You patiently keep working to rid me of my persistent old nature that keeps forgetting that it is dead and acts as if I do not belong to You.

God's Patience

Some say that the world is in rebellion against God. This is based on media reports. However, in Christian circles the news of thousands putting their faith in Christ does not get reported by secular media. 

This is one reason for caution in predicting the return of Christ. However, Scripture does give hints that His second coming is marked by current events. The NT gives a description that could be contemporary:

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. . . . And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:3–12)

God still remains to be patient, yet as one author says, He might be holding back His visible wrath, yet that delay could be more dreadful than a quick punishment for sin. In not striking down those who rebel against Him, He is allowing them to do their own thing out of the hardness and corruption of their hearts without any striving with them, therefore making themselves even more fit fuel for his vengeance. “So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Psalm 81:12)

Even though this seems like patience, it is part of God’s judgment in that increased sin will certainly give those who are judged an eternity to reflect on the length of His divine patience on earth, and their inexcusable abuse of it.

As for God's patience, He reigns in the midst of his enemies to show his power over Himself, as well as over sinful rebels. He suffers a great interval of time between the saying what He will do and the performance of it — to show that He has not forgotten His word, or repented of it, or neglects it that sinners might not perish, but change their minds. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God would rather be pleased with a conversion than the destruction of rebels. 

It is a terror that God has anger, but a deep hope for me that He is slow to it in the lives of those on my prayer list. Jesus died for my sin and faith in Him assures me of no more condemnation, yet I shudder for those who resist His saving mercy. However, I cannot save them, only share Jesus with them, pray and do whatever God asks of me.

I’m to pray for those who also share the gospel — that the word of the Lord may be honored, and that God will protect them from evil and from those without faith. God is faithful and will guard us. May we who do believe have confidence concerning His power in our lives so we will do what He says and direct our hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. I’m not to get tired of doing good, and that includes kindness to those who have not yet arrived where God wants them to be. (2 Thessalonians 3:1–17)

PRAY: Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for loving me and giving me great hope through Your patience and grace. Please continue to comfort my heart as I pray for others to be brought to faith and then established in every good work and word.

Impatient with God?

Being impatient with God's timing is a common response when prayer isn’t answered as quickly as it is prayed. This week, one of our friends expressed frustration because he had prayed for what seemed an easy thing to happen and it didn’t. When someone said that the Lord’s timing is always perfect, he said, “Yes, but…” and I said, “Don’t say but…” because the word ‘yes’ and that word do not go together. Sadly he ignored me.

Today’s reading points to this verse, then Piper adds a more literal translation:

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Piper says: “Let us approach with boldness the throne of grace that we might receive mercy and find grace for a well-timed help.” He explains this is literal and accurate. The traditional translation focuses on our need, but the literal one focuses on God’s timing.

I cannot criticize our impatient friend. How many times has God tried to teach me that I’m actually in His classroom when prayers are not answered! He wants me to trust Him, not my own idea of when something should happen. The need might be great but His timing is based on His far greater understanding and plan, not on my impatient fears or demands.

Jesus demonstrated this when His friend Lazarus became ill. When his sisters sent word to Him, He said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:4–6)

The disciples were perplexed and the sisters upset when Lazarus died, but Jesus was glorified by a greater miracle than healing. He called the dead man out of his tomb and restored him alive to the great consternation of His opposers and the great delight of all who followed Him. Yet they too struggled with His timing.

In His classroom, I’m being taught that He knows what I need when I need it. Sometimes it is a surprise, a blessing I didn’t expect or even ask for, but when He gives it, I realize that I needed it. It might be a small thing in the eyes of the world. Not long ago we drove into a very full parking lot and I said, “Lord, it would be nice to find a parking spot, but we can walk so whatever You think…” and at that, a space opened up right in front of the door where we wanted to go. Surprise!

I don’t always think about getting encouragement but He sends it when He knows I need it. I pray for safety when out driving. He hears and gives it. I pray for the salvation of many and He surprises me by drawing someone into His family that I’d not prayed for, to show me that He is still busy with those that I do pray for. . . . and teaching me to trust Him and demonstrate my trust with patience, no buts, just content that He will do what He knows is needed at the time that is best, not at the time of my desires.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

This verse is a surprise: God is patient toward me! He puts up with ‘but’ statements but does not give into them. He knows the best timing and will not give in to my nagging. I say nagging instead of prayer, because so many requests are just that, harassing God instead of trusting Him, and insisting it must be now rather than waiting because I believe that He knows best.

PRAY: Oh God, forgive my impatience when I ask for things that will make me more comfortable rather than trusting You to do what I ask when it will bring You the most glory. How delightful that You know best and that answers will come in ways and times that will bring great joy. Sometimes I’ve acted like a demanding and spoiled child, but You are at work using ‘wait’ to help me grow up and to be content in the process. Your help comes and I am learning to pray with the attitude of “surprise me” instead of the demand to “do it now” which is actually a statement of trusting my judgment instead of Yours. Such God-playing is a serious sin.

Patience

Last night’s Bible study raised an interesting question: why do we belittle “doubting Thomas” just because he said:

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

How many times have we asked God to prove something by giving us what our eyes can see? After all, faith is defined this way: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)?

After some discussion, we determined that doubt is asking for proof in an attempt to build or reassure our faith or erase our doubts. However, God often answers prayer or does things we did not expect, giving us a faith-builder that was initiated by Him. There is a difference between asking for proof and Him giving us proof because He sees we need a boost.

As for doubt, it is related to impatience, like the child that wants supper now when supper has not finished cooking. Sometimes this is described to a human inability to deal with delayed gratification. This happens to adults too. We want something NOW.

Devotional reading this morning asks: Do I have the patience to wait on God’s timing? The Word of God describes the journey to patience this way:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

“Steadfast” means to endure patiently. It is a trait developed by having it tested by difficulties or challenges. Those tests usually start small.

For instance, when others learn that I quilt, they often say, “I don’t have the patience for that” meaning they want the quilt finished. When I started quilting, I enjoyed the process so much that finishing was often delayed. Now I’m very glad to have another one finished but have learned through making many quilts that the process is necessary. It also built my patience so I can persist on a project until it is done without being antsy about it.

The truth is, God patiently goes through a process to answer many of my prayers. He may give me a requested parking place in a few minutes, but when I pray for someone’s healing, or salvation, rarely do such things happen at the snap of a finger. He could do it that way, but takes time to soften hearts (or build immune systems) in respect to human situations. Not everyone is like Saul, who was persecuting Christians when God confronted him and changed his life. It seemed like an instant zap, and so did my salvation — at least to observers. No one could see the preparation going on in my heart for many years.

God’s process begins by convincing a person that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. But then they hear that they are sinners who need Him. That is a common parking place, but some admit it is true and find out that He loves them enough to die for their sin. If someone resists any of those things, He comes to them in different ways, always looking for a change in their hearts at whatever stage they are in so they can move toward Him.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive. When I pray for someone and nothing seems to be happening, I could doubt that God is at work, but the entire Bible declares otherwise. I just cannot see it, like Thomas doubted until he saw Jesus. Basically, this man was saying to the other disciples, “I hear you tell me but I need to see Jesus for myself.” That sounds less like doubt and more like what Jesus wants for everyone — not to believe on hearsay but believe in Him because of a personal and very real encounter with Him.

PRAY: You are telling me again to be patient. I want what You want and I know that You could speak and make things happen instantly, but like most instant stuff in our world, it never turns out with the same power and potential as those things that take time to accomplish. I’ve been told not to pray for patience as it invites trials, but it also produces maturity. May Your will be done.

Faith is a journey. . . .

 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— (Galatians 3:13)

Christ alone is our Redeemer. Christ bore our sins. Christ endured the wrath of God, Christ satisfied the claims of justice against us, as our Substitute. The work of redemption was fully accomplished. ‘Christ has redeemed us.’ Nothing is left to be done by us. Christ has done all. The blood of Christ poured out in death for the atonement of sin accomplished an effectual redemption. ‘Christ has redeemed us.’

Sin has been dealt with. The only sin that keeps anyone from redemption is unbelief in what Christ has done. Lack of faith is our nemesis. Faith is our salvation — yet faith has stages. 

First, the Bible says that the existence of God is made plain in creation and that faith begins with believing this simple truth:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

If a person dismisses all the evidence of God’s existence and thinks He is not a good God, what more can the Holy Spirit reveal to that closed mind?

Faith also includes believing what God says. If not, we make Him a liar — even though Jesus clearly identified Satan as the liar and father of lies. And what does God say that must be believed? Some focus on creation or other truths, but the main thing that halts any hope of moving on in a spiritual journey is refusing to believe this:

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:22b–23)

A man said to me that he had no trouble believing that Jesus died for the sins of the world and argued that was good enough. I said, “But what about your sin?” Long pause. “Oh, I see what you mean.” He realized that his ‘faith’ was general, not personal. Even the demons believe God exists, but saving faith goes beyond that. Biblical ideas might be in place, but faith that cannot admit sin is not saving faith. John wrote:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. . . . If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7–10)

What is missing in that kind of faith is a failure to believe and apply verse 9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

What more can God say to a person who rejects what He says about our sinful condition. If it sounds anything like “I don’t need that” or firmly insists they are okay without a Savior, the journey to God stops. God can barge in and open blind eyes, however He is a God of grace and even tells His people to “correct his opponents with gentleness.” God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, yet it is vital to believe the truth we already know. (2 Timothy 2:25)

God’s kindness “is meant to lead us to repentance” (Romans 2:4) so He “is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Without it, the wonder of redemption eludes those who fail to believe what God reveals.

The OT laws and rituals pointed to the realities to come. The blood of animals offered for sin had no power to take away sin, but faith in God's promise of a Deliverer was vital. This faith kept His people until their Messiah came to fully redeem those who trust Him. Jesus came to do the will of God and by that will, those who believe are set apart, redeemed, being transformed. By His single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:1–14), an amazing gift that is given to those who believe God exists, that He rewards all who seek Him, that know they are sinful and have no merit to earn this blessing, and therefore trust in Jesus Christ alone for redemption.

PRAY: What can I say? Only Jesus. You have brought me to faith, led me through all the barricades and shown me truth that helped me understand the wonder of who You are and the blessing of Your amazing grace. I bow in adoration and in joy.

Pray up a storm — or rest in a calm?

 

Many of those on my prayer list do not call themselves Christian and show no sign of trusting Jesus Christ — for their salvation or in any way. They are unresponsive to spiritual conversation, not hostile but not interested. Today’s devotional reading is about having faith in God to do what He wants for their lives.

Because I trust God to take care of me, I can trust Him to take care of others, whether they believe or not. Not only did He send Jesus to die for them, but His sovereign care governs whatever happens in their lives.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Even if they presently do not believe, because God is “over all things” He is able to reach their hearts and as Jesus prayed: “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” (John 17:6)

And I can pray to this end too, for He is able to do it: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

After praying for many years for most of them, the Lord impresses these things on me, and that those people are far more loved by Him than I am. I cannot keep them in my care as well as He can keep them in His care. In being anxious for their salvation, am I any more anxious than God?!

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

The reading tells of a mother who was anxious for her unbelieving sons. Finally she realized God’s care was greater than her own and she “put those she loved into the fortress of God by faith and left them there, abandoning them to the care of God.” Her anxiety vanished and she was filled with perfect peace, sensing these sons were God’s sons now and no longer hers. Because He loved them far better than she could, He would care for them far more wisely and effectually. She was ready to do whatever He wanted, but became content to leave them in His hands.

This is not a copout. Anyone who prays for loved ones knows the pain of unanswered prayer, yet to stop caring is unthinkable. In this ‘trial of faith’ the answer seems to be to witness to them, do something, at least keep praying, yet this story shows that God can be looking for total trust rather than building persistence.

PRAY: Jesus, You tell me to share with others, to pray for them. To knock and keep knocking and the door will be opened, but You also tell me to be still and know You are God. In spiritual battles for the souls of people, there are times to say things, or to pray without ceasing, but also times to rest on Your promises and trust You to answer my prayers in the best time and the best possible way. Help me, and all those who pray, to know the difference and respond according to Your will.

United by the Ark

By an unusual set of circumstances, I was introduced to a young Christian by email. He and his wife moved the same time as our daughter and her hubby to the same area. We decided to meet with this couple for a meal yesterday. It was as if we have known them forever. This is the grace of God. When He brings people into His family, we become just that — family.

This morning’s devotional gives a reminder of how that works. It is found in the story of Noah. This man’s life is summed up in the NT:

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

MacArthur goes on to explain that the ark is a picture of salvation by grace through faith. In the text describing its construction, an unusual word is used:

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. (Genesis 6:14)

The Hebrew word for pitch is from the same root as the word for atonement or a covering, which is what Jesus does to our sin. However, this word is also translated as a protected village, which is what God does for His people. Pitch kept the waters of judgment from entering the ark, just as Christ’s atoning blood keeps judgment from the repentant sinner. Pitch, or the word for it, also surrounds and protects God’s family, speaking of our protection and hinting at our unity, just like the people in the ark were protected from judgment, together in that protected place, emphasis on together. Shared atonement gives a sense of oneness even among people of different cultures, backgrounds, education, and often varied views of many things. This “pitch” not only suggests the presence of oil in the middle east, but it speaks of the covering and uniting power of God’s grace!

Noah’s task was enormous. Some say this ark was bigger than a football field and more than four stories high. It had more than enough room for the animals and people in it. Engineers say its structure was incredibly stable . . .  just like the structure of salvation. This is why it illustrates what God has done in Christ.  

Even at that, only eight people entered it. There was room for more and God would have welcomed them because “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient . . .  not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) He also says: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37) but “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)

The story says that Noah “was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. He walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9) That does not mean he was sinless and some of that showed up after the flood, but like every true believer, he was justified by God’s grace, his faith being counted as righteousness. That has always been the basis of salvation.

And (Abram) believed the Lord, and (God) counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, (Romans 4:5)

And that faith produces a unity between people who are otherwise strangers, a blessed sense of being “in the same village” even with our many differences. Atonement, like the ark, is our covering and protection. Because of God’s grace we are saved and given the mind of Christ so when we get together we are aware of belonging together in His ‘walled city’ of unity and fellowship.

PRAY: Jesus, I see Your hand in all things, in our dinner last night with people we’d never met, in our mutual edification as brothers and sisters in You, in the saving grace and life of Noah and his family, in the power that still saves people though the atonement that is ours in You. What a lovely wonder You are, a gift from the Father that never stops giving.

PONDER: Romans 4:1–8 is the gospel but it also explains why the members of God’s family have a unity that goes beyond common interests and mutual agreement. According to this passage, what gives us the status of being covered and living together in a walled city?

 

 

Winning by not retaliating

 

Before I became a Christian, about two or three times a week a person close to me did the same annoying thing and I was angry each time. My response was retaliation but it didn’t change a thing. Then one day I heard on a radio program to respond to someone’s annoying habits as if they never happened. The voice said, “Carry on and be nice to them.” So I tried it and it must have had some shock value for that person never did it again.

Today’s devotional affirms that non-retaliation is an expression of love. I didn’t know it then, but know it now . . .  “Love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

MacArthur writes that we usually think of patience as the ability to wait or endure without complaint — either regarding people or circumstances. However, this word translated “patience” refers specifically to patience with people. It means “to be long-tempered.” That is, patience is about choosing not to retaliate when wronged. It is a response like God’s response when I sin against Him. It is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22) and not possible apart from His enabling. That God enabled me to say no to retaliation before I said yes to Christ says something else about the grace of God! He was teaching me about Himself before I knew Him, and about the way of life that He would give me.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1–2)

The Lord is always the example to follow. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) To resist that patience and insist on retaliation is not wise for it is presuming “on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead me to repentance” (Romans 2:4)

In NT times, retaliation was considered heroic. It is even true today. Consider advice such as, “Stand up for yourself” and “Don’t take that treatment; get even.” But Jesus said of those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The other thing about retaliation is that it can be subtle and even passive, like withdrawing or ignoring those who hurt me, or talking mean about them behind their back. Godly love does not do that. It is always kind and motivated by humility, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice my so-called rights rather than hurting someone else, no matter what they did to me.

PRAY: Lord, this is not easy. The closer the relationship, the deeper the wounds and the stronger the temptation to get even, to hurt back. Humility reminds me that I’ve hurt others too, and would I want them retaliating and being impatient toward me? Not at all. Help me remember Your patience with me and submit to the Holy Spirit’s patience rather than be resentful or fight back. Also enable me to trust You with taking care of any wrong-doing that others do. Dealing with sin mostly means my own sin, rather than trying to ‘fix’ the sin that others do.

PONDER: Genesis 50:15–21 tells how Joseph’s brothers feared retaliation without realizing the amazing patience and long-suffering He developed in Joseph. Think of ways God can use the sins of others to accomplish His purposes rather than letting those sins be a reason for me to take matters into my own hands.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17–21)