Isaiah 52:12 (NKJV) For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
To be on the other side of accusations is rarely, if ever, fun. Have you noticed that it doesn’t help if the accusations are false? Isn’t there a unique sting to them when they come from ‘so-called’ friends? What is being said is so untrue. The rumor flying around is so unfounded. Ouch.
Accusations come to those who trust in Jesus. I know this. You know this. Paul knows it. Jesus knows it. Truly, every believer needs to know it.
Yes, accusations come to those following closely, abiding in Jesus. They shouldn’t surprise us. There even seems to be a specific attack on those in spiritual leadership that is headed up by the accuser of the brethren himself (Revelation 12:10).
Our pastor has always encouraged us to be careful when accusations come. Because each time they come, we are faced with a choice. Option one is to jump in and defend ourselves. The real problem is that when we jump into the mud, all that really happens is we get muddy and so does the situation. Option two is to step back and allow God to be our Defender. Choose option number two, my friend. If we choose to defend ourselves, God will let us. But if we abide in Jesus, allowing Him to be our guard, oh, what peace and help await us!
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV)
By Grace,
Pastor Ed
Response
Dear Pastor Ed, I wanted to let you know that the video that was shown on Wednesday night, during the last song that Terry was singing, was so incredibly amazing. I was touched so deeply by that. I have never seen Jesus in that light, as a laughing, playing, joyful person. He was always depicted, at least in my mind, as a very sober person. Just touching and healing people with a stoic attitude and frustrated with the disciples. I don't think I ever pictured Him smiling, let alone laughing! Ever since Wednesday, I have been carrying the pictures of Jesus in my mind from that video. I cried tears of joy the whole way home Wednesday night, thinking that He loves me like that too; that He laughs and is loving, and that He would actually smile if I leaned up against Him! And despite the wretched sinner I am, He would look at me in LOVE!! And with joy in His eyes and in His expression. It made me want to be like Him towards others. I really do not enjoy being a serious, sober Christian. Oh how I so want to be like Jesus!
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