Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 16:6-10
Prov 16:6-10
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
There are few topics that need to be discussed more than unity of mind. This does not mean conformity of mind. This does not mean compromise of convictions. It does not mean that we all think alike about everything – even a lot of things that we hold as truth. In the book of Romans, in chapter fourteen, Paul says that we may disagree on things that are matters of right or wrong, at least to us, but he then says we are not to judge each other or have contempt toward each other.
Unity of mind means that we get along with each other and love each other, even when we do not agree. My convictions are between God and me, and yours are between God and you, but we can still treat each other with kindness and with respect. The key to this kind of unity is humility. I may be wrong in what I believe, so I need to not demand everything be my way. God is the judge, not us.
Since this is true in religious matters, how much more should it be true with things that are physical and temporary! And nothing is more physical and temporary than politics. You and I cannot control what happens in the political world or who (either individual or party) is in power. What we can do is pray and trust God. He can (and does) control what happens. No matter how strongly I feel about certain policies or people, this should not keep me from being kind to those with whom I disagree. It is my Christian duty to treat them with respect, to be kind to them, and to always treat them as I want to be treated, even if they are unkind to me.
O Lord, give me a heart like Jesus. Give me patience like Jesus. Fill me with his love so that others will see him living in me, even when I do not agree with them and when I think they are very wrong. Give us leaders (both in our churches and in our government) who will make it possible for us to live quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness. Whatever happens around me, give me wisdom to know what is right and strength to live it. Thank you for loving me and filling my life with so many wonderful friends and loving family. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
