Quote from Forum Archives on November 14, 2002, 2:55 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

So many of us seem much more interested in protecting our own
interests and rights than we are in doing what's right and having
the right attitude. This week, Larry Davies writes a really good
message about this and uses some great illustrations and some
relevant scripture to make his point in his message for this
week. I think he's right on.

I'd also like to reiterate that I think it is important that we
set aside specific, regular time, and devote some attention to
reading, praying, thinking about scripture, and personally
worshipping God.

May God's Word be closely knit into the fabric of who we are, so
even at times when we find it difficult to sit down and study,
God's Word will be imprinted deep within us. I also pray that
each of us would privately respond to God and give Him first
place in all that we think, say, and do.

Your Brother in Christ, Brian

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Just in time for Christmas, it's the best price yet for "Breaking
the Peanut Butter Habit." Normally $24.95 now only $10. Each book
will be signed by the author. Maximum order of four books. Click
here for more information:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

"David and Getting Even" Larry Davies

Tolstoy wrote about an honest and hardworking Russian peasant who
spent the night in a local inn. A man was killed and the murderer
placed the weapon in the bag of the sleeping peasant. The police
discovered it and put the hapless peasant in jail. For twenty-six
years the peasant survived the harsh conditions of prison on the
bitter hope that someday he would obtain revenge.

After twenty-six years the real murderer was placed in prison and
then caught attempting to escape. One prisoner saw everything:
the peasant. At long last the opportunity dreamed about since
that villainous night twenty-six years ago presented itself, for
on the peasant's word the murderer would be put to death. Here
was his big chance. If it were you... what would you do?

"Don't get mad... get even!" is our chanted mantra. Maybe an
employer treated you unfairly or a coworker climbed to the top
over your back. A spouse abandoned you. Your parents failed you.
You were "done wrong" as they say and now you are waiting for a
chance to retaliate. "Don't get mad... get even" is a reasonable
response in the face of gross unfairness, isn't it? No, it is
not!

God calls it vengeance and has a lot to say about it. "Dear
friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is
written, "I will take vengeance;" (Romans 12:19) I don't like
God's emphasis on "never avenge." I would want to say... usually.
I would seek exceptions for extreme examples like our Russian
peasant, but not God. A good Biblical example would be David.

King Saul was insanely jealous of David's increasing popularity
and eventually stripped him of his job, his wife, his best friend
and his self-respect, finally forcing him to flee for safety. For
years not days, Saul pursued David looking to exterminate him.
But then..."Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it
happened, David and his men were hiding in that very cave!" (1
Samuel 24:3)

Again, if it were you... what would you do? "'Now's your
opportunity!' David's men whispered to him... Then David crept
forward and cut off a piece of Saul's robe." (4-5) Why did David
do that? Saul was trying to kill him. Why didn't David get even?
Instead, he crept close to Saul and performed the equivalent of a
teenage prank or practical joke. Even that small act of defiance
made David feel guilty. "The LORD knows I shouldn't have done
it," he said to his men." (6)

In the military, it is drilled into you: 'salute the rank... not
the person.' Saul was anointed by God to be King. David was duty
bound to treat the King with respect and honor. David wisely
chose mercy and to confront Saul with truth. As he left the cave,
David appeared and held up a piece of his robe. "This proves that
I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against
you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. The
LORD will decide between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for
what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you."
(11-12)

David's refusal to succumb to the temptation of "getting even"
was a turning point because he chose to do what was right by
repaying evil with good. "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink... Don't let
evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."
(Romans 12:20-21) David ultimately chose to place his faith in
God not revenge.

Speaking of turning points... the Russian peasant had his own
opportunity to "get even" with the man who ruined his life. But
instead of jumping at the chance, the story describes the peasant
as experiencing the overpowering grace and love of God. The
darkness that was within him was suddenly filled with light and
the peasant found himself saying to the officers: "I saw
nothing."

That night the murderer approached the peasant and on his knees
begged for forgiveness. Again, the light of Christ flooded the
peasant's heart: "God will forgive you. Maybe I am a hundred
times worse." And at those words the peasant's heavy heart grew
light as he received God's comfort.

I don't know of any better witness to your faith in God than a
willingness to forgive someone who has grievously harmed you. Is
it easy? Never! Is it necessary and worthwhile? Absolutely! Your
willingness to forgive could be the principal turning point in
your life, your health and your faith.

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the
Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a Better Life"
now on sale only through this website. Click here for more
information: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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