September 23, 2016

Psalm 119:165 KJV - "Great peace have they who love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them."

Are you easily offended?  Words people say; "looks" you get from others that are condescending; snubs from people who you thought were friends; any number of other ways others do things that upset you?  Do you seek revenge?  Or do you just slink away and hide because you're embarrassed?  Many, if not everyone, has been through some kind of unpleasant treatment at the hands of another.  And, yes, even Christians can face this kind of encounter. 

You can't necessarily avoid the attempts of others to insult you.  Jesus made it pretty clear that His disciples, including you and me, would face all kinds of verbal and even physical abuse because of our association with Him.  John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." 

How can you "steel yourself" against the insults and snubs of others?  Our Daily Verse offers a great "shield."  God's Word make clear that God is on the side of those who put their trust in Him.  Remember what we've said before from Romans 8:31b, "...if God is for us, who can be against us?"  The way I read that is, "If God is for me, then why in the world am I concerned with whose against me?!"  If I have God's approval, why am I feeling low if others don't approve me?  Of course, this is where our love for God's Word means we not only read it but we believe it.  When you know you're doing what God wants you to do, because you're obeying HIs Word, then you can "weather the storms" of offending treatment from others.  Take God at His Word and believe He not only loves you but He's on your side!