Snuggling under the thick bedspread on a cold night, I tucked the blankets up to my face and tried to go back to sleep. But the comfort of a warm bed couldn’t chase away my unsettling dream.
Learning the hard way that relationships within the church are nothing short of complicated, I was obviously trying to work out my hurt in my sleep. Betrayal is a strong word, but I felt manipulated, lied to, and deeply misunderstood. Tired of trying to take the high road, my dream revealed my heart: I wanted to be vindicated.
Releasing our right to be justified is certainly one of those “rubber meets the road” moments of our faith. We can try to take control and refuse to be denied our definition of justice, or we can let go and entrust ourselves to a Savior who “understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). No one likes to be misunderstood. No one likes to stand by and let it happen. Yet Jesus embraced His betrayal because He knew God is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
Psalm 119:165 says, “Those who love Your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Jesus endured betrayal and mockery for two reasons. He loved the Father, and He loved us. In moments of great charity, the simplicity of the two greatest commandments seem within our reach (Matthew 22:37-39). With the sting of betrayal in our heart, however, we wonder how it can be done.
That’s where the high road—a painful place where self dies—comes into play. True life abounds when we live out the grace God has shown to us. Will we choose our human vindication or His divine forgiveness? We can’t have both (Matthew 6:14-15).
More:
He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly (1 Peter 2:23).
Next:
Are you wanting to be vindicated due to something someone did to you? What keeps you from letting go of the hurt? How much do you value God’s forgiveness of you?
joyce on September 8, 2009 at 11:00 am
I was reflecting over the weekend how God’s call to us to “bear the cross” and follow him sometimes means that we may have to endure the pain from the sins of others just like He did. We are to “die” to ourselves because fulfilling God’s purpose should supplant our own will and desires, including the desire to see fairness in a situation. God’s wisdom allows situations to happen for good purposes.
However, even though Jesus always died to Himself, learning obedience through the things He suffered, Jesus did not always suffer in silence. Rather, He rebuked his disciples when they disappointed Him, and He called out the Pharisees on numerous occasions. The admonishments were intended to help the listeners grow.
Likewise, God sometimes wants us to admonish and reproach one another to help each other grow. While minor offenses should be ignored as forbearing with one another, confrontation is necessary when a serious offense has occurred that has damaged a relationship.
If the confrontation is done with meekness in recognizing our own contributions to the conflict, with words that bring life rather than death, and with the intent of reconciliation, then the one bringing up the issue is motivated by love and faithfulness. Hopefully, humility, truth, and love prevail, and everyone matures into His likeness.
If an issue cannot be resolved, however, then the situation should be entrusted to God “who judges fairly”. Moreover, prayer for both parties should continue because the Holy Spirit can bring clarity of insight and conviction. Trusting in God’s omniscience, wisdom, and justice helps us to be patient in suffering any injustice, rather than to take revenge or fester with bitterness.
regina franklin on September 8, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Dear Joyce,
Very well said and a timely word for me. In walking through a difficult place, I asked the Lord for direction, not knowing that this devotional would be placed on the rotation for today.
Though I wrote it several months ago, God always knows when we need to hear something again. Your wisdom and insight bring confirmation to some questions I have been asking.
Many blessings!