Saturday, June 30, 2012

Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. - a quote by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest - June27
These are hard words to follow -- impossible without knowing Jesus Christ. When I was in my 20's and went to live in an orphanage in Honduras, I was hurt and betrayed by a few select "friends" back home. I found out during a rare call home that while I was pouring myself out in service, and suffering through several types of physical afflictions (including a desperate case of "Mom-itis" = homesickness) one of my "friends" was spreading vicious, unfounded rumors about me. This was a bitter blow, especially since I had no way to defend myself. Even though it took a lot of trust in God to step out in obedient faith and go live in a Honduran orphanage, for me it was even more challenging to trust god with my good name and my reputation back home. It was no coincidence to find that my daily devotional -- My Utmost For His Highest was about that very issue. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares that when we are living for Him, there is no time to "stand up for ourselves." Like I always say, "We have to keep our eyes on the prize (Him) and He will guide and direct our steps. He will take care of our name and reputation. This is not an easy road to take, but this kind of trust is always rewarded. I've attached a copy of June 27 My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers:
June 27 The Overshadowing Personal Deliverance June 27 The Overshadowing Personal Deliverance “I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8 God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally – “Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey.” That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are a matter of indifference, we have to sit loosely to all those things; if we do not, there will be panic and heartbreak and distress. That is the inwardness of the overshadowing of personal deliverance. The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ’s errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not. To look for justice is a sign of deflection from devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will begin to grouse and to indulge in the discontent of self-pity – Why should I be treated like this? If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says – Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance. The most devout among us become atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God on to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts.