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Psalm 107

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 15, 2019
 
As it says in Psalm 107, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
[And we do see your love every day, Lord, in the myriad of provisions and protections you pour out upon us. You made us able to see, hear, speak, walk, work and write. You give us food, shelter, health, community and sleep. You provide protection, guidance, warning and help–these among many other wonderful gifts.]
“Let the redeemed of the LORD say this–those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,”
[You, Lord Jesus, have marvelously redeemed and rescued us from the hand of Satan, from the hand of sin, from the hands of evil men. You are our Savior, Shepherd and Sustainer. Praise be to you forever and ever for your gracious, good and great salvation.]
“those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”
[Thank you, Lord, that your Spirit works in every land in every people, opening their eyes, giving them the desire for truth, bringing them your Word so they, too, can enter you Kingdom, become your children, and spend eternity with you. You are the true, loving God, gracious to all, forgiving to all those who come to your call.]
“Some wandered in desert wastelands,”
[when we reject your truth and go our own way, we dwell in dry and parched lands of our own making, far from the green pastures you have for us.]
“finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.”
[When on our own path, we go from one bad decision to the next. We search for emotional and physical sustenance but find none; instead we grow weaker and weaker. Everything goes downhill because we are far from your way.]
“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,”
[When we finally saw that our selfish way was not good, that our weak wisdom was insufficient, that our strength was too little to escape condemnation, then we cried out to you.]
“and he delivered them from their distress.”
[You, Lord, in your goodness, were right there, waiting for us to come to our senses, to see our need, to cry out to you. You were ready to help as soon as we were ready to receive. You plucked us out of our distress and inserted us into your forgiveness, your family and your future plans.]
“He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.”
[You, Lord, know the way to shelter and are very willing, eager to lead us to it, if only we will follow. You give us wisdom, insight, security and community, all we need to prosper.]
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love”
[and truly your love is unfailing as you wait and wait and wait for us to repent of our selfish, stubborn independence. You don’t give up, you are patient, persistence and prepared.]
“and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
[What you have for us is beyond good–it is wonderful, marvelous, awesome and great. You, Lord, have only good for us, satisfying our thirst for love and forgiveness, our hunger for relationship, our deep desire for reality and meaning.
You know our needs, for you are our Creator; you are able to supply our needs, for you are infinite; you desire to give us what we need, and promise to do so, for you are good. Praise be to you, both now and forever. Help us to walk in the light of these truths today.]
                        Pictures: without God                    and with God
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Slander and Joy

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 14, 2019
Written 15 years ago, but very relavent for our situation today.
 
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12
 
The flood of anti-Christian articles and TV shows in our Middle Eastern country this past month has driven us again to that high and golden standard: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me…Love your enemies, pray for those persecute you…” (Mat. 5:11,44).
Criticism by itself is hard to take, but when it comes in the form of vicious slander from ignorant, hateful, bitter and vengeful people, it is much harder to respond in a godly way. Yet God calls us to give a superhuman reply to persecution, rather than feeling sorry for ourselves.
Just this morning I was reading in Acts 3 where, after the initial arrest, interrogation and release of Peter and John, the church meets and prays, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” That’s the opposite of whining!
Then came another blow here: one who had been a pastor for several years renounced his faith—the outcome, I believe of the unhealthy practice of workers giving a young pastor a salary; when the salary was stopped, the pastor “lost his faith.”
He went on several national TV talk shows where he reinforced all the lies others had been telling about us (people become Christians for money, the workers’ aims are all political, they want to take land away from the country, etc.). He went on to name specific workers, projects and events, exposing many to possible attack. He also has the addresses of many correspondence course contacts he’d been following up on, placing these seekers in danger.
Again, Jesus’ words about such happenings came to mind: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mat. 5:12).
We are confident that God will somehow use this for good, for spreading His Word across this land. [Epilogue, today, years later there is a genuine awakening going on in this country!]
I’ve been praying Psalm 140 for the situation, especially verses 8 and 9: “…do not grant the wicked their desire…let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused…let not slanderers be established in the land.”
One answer to this prayer came in an interesting way. A reporter for a major newspaper challenged those making outlandish accusations against Christians: “If you say there are 89 house churches in this one area of our city, show them to me one by one, and if you can’t, I’ll call you a liar before everyone!” Unbelievers ended up defending us!
With God’s grace we will continue to rejoice in such persecution while recognizing that in this serious situation we need prayer for His protection and the outworking of events for good.
 
Prayer: “Lord, we need to think your thoughts consistently and constantly; keep us in the Word, responding in faith, in praise and in grace. May you be glorified in every situation. We are weak and that is good; make your power perfect in our weakness. Amen.”
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God’s Four Gifts to Us, Part Four

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 13, 2019
 
 
A fourth gift He has for us is improving our emotional, mental and physical health. This comes through expressing gratitude to Him as we live out Psalm 50:23 by giving thanks in all things, both positive and painful, delightful and difficult.
A secular article on News Max entitled “Giving Thanks Makes Us Happier,” points out that having an attitude of gratitude brings many benefits. A summary says, “Researchers delving into the physiology of gratitude have discovered it acts powerfully upon neurotransmitters in the brain to increase happiness, reduce stress, boost energy and even improve sleep.” In a separate article, I read that gratitude also strengthens our immune system.
This, of course, is simply discovering what God has told us all along: giving thanks is powerfully good for us, as well as for all those around us. And it is good for God, as we are joining Him in advancing His Kingdom.
When God commands us to do something, it is always for the best. His expression of these truths is found in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, WILL GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
These truths are reiterated in an article in the latest Reader’s Digest, entitled “The Goodness of Gratitude,” saying, “people who wrote thank you letters or performed good deeds for a six-week period decreased their pain, upped their energy, accomplished more every day, and improved their mental health for up to six months. And you can reap these benefits at any age.”
God’s wisdom is far deeper than we can imagine! It is our privilege and responsibility to live out Psalm 50:23 (“He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord” by making every day a “Thanksgiving Day.”
Do yourself and many others a good turn and offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving in each event, especially the ones you don’t like—then watch God work!
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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 12, 2019
God’s Four Gifts to Us, Part Two and Three
As we saw in part one, Psalm 50:23 starts with “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me”–meaning that if we give thanks when we don’t feel like it, we fulfill the purpose of our lives, giving honor to God before the unseen hosts as well as the people around us.
 
The verse then continues with “…and prepares the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.” Here we see the second gift God has for us: the privilege of partnering with Him in bringing about solutions, of joining Him in a way that He power can work in us and in our situation for good.
 
Paul echoes this principle in 2 Cor. 12:10 “…I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness SO THAT the power of Christ may rest in me.”
As we give thanks in and for difficulties, we open the way (maybe, get out of the way is more accurate!) for Him to bring the resolution and results He’s planned and prepared. These may come right away, or they may not be visible until years later, as with Joseph in Egypt. Whether seen or unseen, God moves as we give thanks in faith for what is painful for us.
This means that the opposite may also be true: when we complain we block the way for God’s work in our situation. For instance, in experiencing a painful relationship, when we complain things get worse; when we offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, we are helped with not saying hurtful things and help move things in a good direction.
 
As 1 Peter 1:5 says, believers,”THROUGH FAITH are shielded by God’s power….” As we trust, operating out of faith, we are protected; as we complain, we expose ourselves to attacks by the enemy.
A third gift God bestows when we give thanks, is the privilege of being a powerful witness to those around us. Our unnatural, supernatural response to trouble puts us up on the stage of grace where we can do the dance of faith in front of all those around us. As we trust God we bring a focus on God’s good character in a way that words alone could never do.
Thus God gives us opportunity to join Him in the spread of the gospel by walking in faith, in opening people’s eyes to spiritual truth, and in drawing them to Himself. Are we joining Him by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving?
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God’s Four Gifts to Us, Part Two and Three

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 12, 2019

As we saw in part one, Psalm 50:23 starts with “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me”–meaning that if we give thanks when we don’t feel like it, we fulfill the purpose of our lives, giving honor to God before the unseen hosts as well as the people around us.

 

The verse then continues with “…and prepares the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.” Here we see the second gift God has for us: the privilege of partnering with Him in bringing about solutions, of joining Him in a way that He power can work in us and in our situation for good.

 

Paul echoes this principle in 2 Cor. 12:10 “…I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness SO THAT the power of Christ may rest in me.”

 

As we give thanks in and for difficulties, we open the way (maybe, get out of the way is more accurate!) for Him to bring the resolution and results He’s planned and prepared. These may come right away, or they may not be visible until years later, as with Joseph in Egypt. Whether seen or unseen, God moves as we give thanks in faith for what is painful for us.

 

This means that the opposite may also be true: when we complain we block the way for God’s work in our situation. For instance, in experiencing a painful relationship, when we complain things get worse; when we offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, we are helped with not saying hurtful things and help move things in a good direction.

 

As 1 Peter 1:5 says, believers,”THROUGH FAITH are shielded by God’s power….” As we trust, operating out of faith, we are protected; as we complain, we expose ourselves to attacks by the enemy.

 

A third gift God bestows when we give thanks, is the privilege of being a powerful witness to those around us. Our unnatural, supernatural response to trouble puts us up on the stage of grace where we can do the dance of faith in front of all those around us. As we trust God we bring a focus on God’s good character in a way that words alone could never do.

Thus God gives us opportunity to join Him in the spread of the gospel by walking in faith, in opening people’s eyes to spiritual truth, and in drawing them to Himself. Are we joining Him by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving?

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More of the Arrest Story

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 11, 2019
Ongoing Saga of Arrests
 
The next day was Sunday, the first day our little fellowship was allowed back into the German school. But ironically, half the church was back in jail again!
When Barbara and the boys arrived at the school, they sat outside, debating whether to go in or not; maybe the police were inside, waiting to arrest everyone who came in! Eventually one of our teammates arrived and together they went in to find the remaining believers who had not been arrested.
In the afternoon of the third day, the cell door was unlocked and two policemen brought in large cardboard boxes, like the ones refrigerators come in.
“Here, you can spread these out on the floor to sleep on,” one said gruffly. Later we learned that discussions with the American Consul had prompted this kindness. We were thankful, for even the quarter inch thickness of cardboard provided some warmth and a bit of cushioning on the concrete floor.
Later that day I was taken up to a large main office filled with many policemen working at desks and was told to sit in a chair and wait.
Suddenly all the policemen jumped up and stood stiffly at attention as a man dressed in a white shirt and tie walked in. He came over to where I was sitting and looked me up and down.
“Why don’t you go back to your own country and help people out there? You Americans have enough problems of your own!” he barked.
I answered carefully, realizing this man was a high official here. “It’s true we have problems. But there are plenty of people there to help. I want to stay here and do good!”
After a few more questions, with me persistently expressing my desire to stay, he turned away in disgust.
Later I found out that he was the Director Police for the whole province, a very powerful man. My law professor friend, Dr. T, had had this man as a student, and when he heard that I’d been arrested, had gone to see the Director to speak on my behalf.
After our interview the Director reported to Dr. T that I was a “bad man,” and had refused to cooperate by agreeing to leave the country!
On the sixth day of incarceration there was something astir, and rumors went around saying that we were to be released. In the afternoon the cell door opened and a policeman entered. “All you Christians come with us. But leave your things here,” he said, indicating our extra clothing. Hmm, that didn’t seem to indicate imminent release.
We filed out of the cell to find several other policemen with submachine guns waiting in the hallway. They escorted us up two flights and into a large room with TV cameras, bright lights and a lot of reporters, maybe fifty of them.
There was a large table covered with books that they had confiscated from some of us. They’d also placed a large knife in the midst of them to make us look like a dangerous group.
This was standard procedure for the arrests of terrorists, an attempt to shame them before the public. And after six days of sleeping on the floor in our clothes, we looked pretty scruffy, adding credence to the bad image.
A high level policeman in a suit stepped to the microphone and read out the charges against us. One of them was that all the books on the table were illegal. This was too much for me.
“That is not true,” I called out in a loud voice. Startled, everyone turned toward me. “All of these books have been approved by the prosecuting attorney for publications. And every time we have been arrested or accused of wrongdoing, we have been acquitted.”
“That’s right,” chimed in Julian, “According to the law we have done nothing wrong!”
The policemen all glared at us; if looks could have killed, we’d have all died on the spot! They were clearly angry, but couldn’t do anything to us in front of all those reporters.
One high-ranking officer near us said to his neighbor, “Couldn’t you have made these prisoners into men before bringing them up here?” That is code for beating people into submission.
When the press conference was over, they took us back to the cell. We were disappointed that they hadn’t released us, but Ivan had something to lift our spirits.
“Look what I took from the table of books,” he said, holding up a New Testament! We all laughed. Ivan was finally using his criminal bent for something good.
With the New Testament in hand, we had a good time sharing more scripture with Al. He read it with us in the cell, but couldn’t take it home; prisoners were searched when leaving jail as well as coming in and it would have been taken from him. In the end we hid it behind the radiator for the next set of prisoners to find and read.
That night they herded all of us, believers, communists, and other prisoners into the smaller front cell. As we sat around, crowded up against each other, the communists began to tell dirty jokes.
I jumped in and began telling clean ones. I’d developed quite a repertoire of them to use in my English classes, so this went on for quite a while.
We laughed so hard that policemen from the next floor up came down to yell that we weren’t allowed to laugh like that in jail!
When it was time to sleep, there so many of us that we had to lie down in rows like sardines. When anyone wanted to turn over, we all had to turn together.
That night brought the most marvelous concert of snores I’ve ever heard. It took quite a while for me to fall asleep as I chuckled over it.
The next morning the police brought news that we were going to be released, but then announced that they’d lost the key to the padlock on the door! After a couple of hours they came back with a bolt cutter and clipped the lock off.
After processing us out of the jail, the police took us to a hospital for examination, and then released us. We were ecstatic but also exhausted.
Our lawyer later informed us that the police would bring no further charges against us. They were getting the picture: the more they persecuted us, the wider and more clearly our legal freedoms to share our faith was defined. God at work turning the devil’s attacks into advances for His Kingdom.
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New Book Announcement

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 10, 2019
Introducing my eleventh book,
THE ADD-ON ESKIMO,
an historical novel,
based on the true life story of an Eskimo I knew personally.Image may contain: 1 person, standing and text
 
Sixteen year old Ayit said to himself, “The spirits we serve claim they created the world. But they do such ugly things and the world is so beautiful. There has to be a good Creator God!”
Here is the true story of a Siberian Yupik Eskimo who was drawn to faith in Jesus by what he saw in Creation. God then made sure he heard the gospel, to which Ayit said, “Aha, the good Creator God I’ve been looking for!
Join Ayit in hunting polar bears, seals, walrus and whale, in boat building and fox trapping, in fishing and driving his dog sled, and see how the Eskimos lived in the early 1900s.
 
Then watch how Ayit’s surrender to Christ triggered a spiritual war between his family and the spirits as well as with the people of his village. They were attacked from every side, but Jesus rescued and helped them in each instance, proving Himself the good Creator God.
Through all this Ayit and his father learned to add on the qualities of 2 Peter 1:5-7, joining God in what He was doing in their generations and beyond. And you can do the same by following their example.
 
Available on Amazon in paperback and kindle.
 
Search for S.M. Wibberley to find it.
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God’s Four Gifts to Us, Part One

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 10, 2019
God’s Four Gifts to Us, Part One
What a kindness you have bestowed on us, Lord God, in calling us to give thanks in and for all things. You have a plan, you know what is best, no matter how it may look to us—like a leafless tree in winter–but full of possibilities. You work powerfully and patiently to bring goodness out of it at the right time.
Giving thanks in all is a privilege. It is God inviting us into a partnership with Him where He has at least four rich gifts awaiting us.
Psalm 50:23 shows us two of those gifts. “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me…” This sacrifice speaks of denying self, giving thanks when it is not natural, when it costs us. Note that this is not being thankful, which is an emotion, but giving thanks, which is an act of the will, often against what we feel.
This obedience of faith is a great means of glorifying God. When we give thanks in the midst of hurt, disappointment, suffering or loss, trusting that God has a plan and has allowed this for a good we cannot yet see, the angels stand in awe, the demons cringe in defeat, Adam’s descendants are amazed and God’s name is lifted on high.
Giving God such glory is the purpose for which we were created. So every time we find ourselves in situations where there is no solution, no discernible good, no visible positive point (as with the zoning board’s decision for me this week), we can choose to believe that God is good, at work and trustable–and we can demonstrate this trust by giving thanks in and for all things.
In doing so we are fulfilling the purpose for our existence (worshiping God) and doing something that will last for eternity. This privilege of giving thanks by faith is the first gift He has for us.
You, Lord, are the God who is more than we can imagine, more than what we could hope for, better than our dreams, beyond the understanding of our limited perspective. You are Great and Powerful, Glorious and Perfect, Gracious and Pure.
You are the fulfillment of the longing of our hearts and far more. Glory and honor belong to you alone! And we praise you for the privilege of giving you honor throughout each day by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving. May we be consistent in doing that today.]
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Today’s Happenings

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 9, 2019
Current Events–a bit long, but worth it.
 
Yesterday evening the town zoning board gave their decision to deny my request to add the activity of renting storage spaces to my commercial property here on the farm. They did say I can apply again after working with the zoning enforcement officer.
 
This decision was a shock, but not a surprise, as I had noted their reticence towards my request in the initial meeting. This denial is a threat to our financial situation, as most of our retirement income is from renting out places on the farm.
 
When we got home, I was able to start letting go of my fear and anger by lifting my soul to God, reminding myself of His admonition to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1) and then had a good start on sleep.
 
However, I then woke up at about 2 am and was again wrestling with this decision. So, I got up and again lifted my soul to God (first listening to myself, then listening to God, and in the end taking to myself)
 
I wrote in my journal, telling him of my frustration and fear, getting out my thoughts and emotions. Then I moved on to listening to Him. “But, Lord, you again brought to mind Psalm 37, my ‘when I’m in trouble Psalm,’ which says ‘Fret not yourself because of [the unjust], neither be envious against the workers of [wrong doing].’ I can leave those who gave an unjust decision to you. They are your business, not mine. I will forgive and pray for them.
 
“My responsibility is to ‘Trust in the Lord,’ which I can do by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, knowing that you have a plan, you are going to work things out. And then I must ‘do good.’ Give me wisdom in what good I should do here, Lord. One is certainly to forgive those who have refused to give what I desire, and I choose to do that.
 
“Psalm 37 continues, pointing out that If I trust in Him and do good, ‘So shall you dwell in the land and truly you will be fed.’ So, you will take care of me as I walk in obedience to you, Lord. Even if they take away my retirement income, you will provide for me.
 
“’Delight yourself also in the Lord,’ which means turning my attention away from my desires and from this situation to my Great and Mighty God. You, Lord, have so many facets to delight in. You are the combiner of opposites: Love for sinners and Wrath against sin; Mercy and Justice; Truth and Grace; Firmness and Gentleness; Total knowledge and the ability to not remember our sins.
 
“You, Lord Jesus, are the One who took a body of flesh so that you might die and through death defeat the devil and the fear of death, freeing those who were enslaved by Satan. You have “qualified us to be partakes of the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light’ (Col. 1:12).
 
You are the One who breathed the stars, who shepherded them into galaxies, who knows each of them by name, who arranged the solar system, who hung our world on nothing. You are the earth Spinner, the dawn Bringer, the Beginner and Ender of history.
 
You are the Lover of your enemies, the Savior of your foes, the gracious God of your rebellious and selfish creatures. You have given us the opposite of what we deserve: forgiveness, cleansing and belonging, adopting us into your family, into your Kingdom, into your great plans. You have given us love, grace, your Spirit and your presence, along with purpose, hope and a future. You, in your greatness, are taking the present earth and heaven to a conclusion and are carrying us with you!
 
You are delightfully glorious, wonderfully good and kindly gracious. When I delight in you, the problems and pains of the present fade into the background; I can see better how they fit into your plans, how they become the means of honoring you further with the sacrifice of thanksgiving and in deepening my faith.
 
“Psalm 37 continues, ‘Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and he will bring it to pass. He will bring out your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noon day sun.’ As I let go and let you work, you will bring out the wrongness of the decision and the rightness of what I asked. This will be your doing, not mine. I need to leave it to you.
 
“’Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Fret not yourself…’ I so easily fret about such things, being denied what is clearly allowed to others, but not to me. I can let go of this decision, hold onto your personal purpose for me here, and rise above the frustration, disappointment and fear.
 
Psalm 37 then says,“’Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil. For…those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.’ You will take care of me, so I choose to reject my anger and to trust in you, Lord Jesus, knowing that you will do what is right. ‘In the day of my trouble I will call upon you: for you WILL answer me’ (Ps. 86:7).
“Thank you for this challenge, which is driving me into your Word, into deeper trust, into honoring you in faith and obedience. You are wise, you are good and I choose to rest in you. “My soul, find rest in God alone, for my hope comes from Him” (Ps. 62:5).

Truly, ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures’ (Ps. 23:2).”
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Storm and Peace

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 8, 2019
Written about 2007, from Edified—not a current happening
 
“Your face, O Lord, I seek.” Psalm 27:8
 
As I set the phone down I was shaking and my heart was pounding. That had been one of the most difficult conversations in my life. I felt ripped up, abused, stomped on and belittled. The anger vented by the other party had been of hurricane force in my emotions and I had to get up and walk around to try and relieve the tension. And all this over a little misunderstanding! The other person, a mission leader from another group, felt betrayed and foolish because I had misunderstood him; unfortunately I had, in the end, also replied in anger to his charges.
 
With trembling hands I opened my Bible to Psalm 37, my refuge in times of conflict, especially verses 1-3: “Fret not yourself because of evil doers, neither be envious of workers of iniquity, for they shall be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb” [KJV]. Good perspective on how God will deal with things. I can trust Him to work them out. “Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall you dwell in the land and be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
 
Great words; healing words; encouraging words bringing me light in darkness. The question was: how can I now do good to this man? It did not help that I got a follow up email from him that evening, full of anger, accusations, demands and threats. I never wanted to see or hear from him again; I wanted to tell everyone what a terrible person he was; I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me!
 
But the Holy Spirit kept bringing Psalm 37 to mind, prompting me to delight in God, to do good, to take the low road. So, beginning with forgiving the man in my heart as I have been forgiven, and after much prayer for wisdom, I wrote a short email expressing my distress at the way things had gone, and apologizing for my impatience and for interrupting him in our phone conversation. It was hard to write that when it seemed to me mostly his doing, but I did have a part and the Spirit led me to take responsibility.
 
This event was a challenge to the truth I often repeat: “Knowing Jesus is enough for joy!” And, like Habakkuk, I chose to rejoice in my God.
 
It took two days for the vibrations in my being to settle down, and I felt no joy, just hurt. But beyond what I felt was the Truth that God’s joy was waiting for me at the end of the tunnel of obedience, palpable through faith.
 
A couple of days later the response came from the fellow; I saw it when getting email in the morning, but didn’t open it, not wanting to ruin my day with more anger and accusation. I should have read it, for it was a humble admission of his being the cause of the conflict, asking forgiveness and wanting a new start! It was amazing! It showed again the power of prayer and following God’s principles, no matter how illogical they may seem.
 
The man also humbly asked if there was anything else he should deal with. It was at that point where I began to realize one of the reasons God had allowed this painful happening into my life. This man had responsibility for a good number of workers in his organization; if he poured out such anger on me when I inadvertently didn’t meet his expectations in a small matter, what will he do to his “sheep” when they disappoint him? Now I could help him see and deal with his anger before he hurts others.
 
I, too, have struggled with the same sin of unjustified angry responses, and am learning that it usually stems from failure to be a “grace receiver.” When I am trying to earn significance or security by performance or to get it from others’ opinions, I am not receiving grace from God, so I cannot be a “grace giver.” I demand performance from others as I do from myself. And when they fail, they feel my wrath.
 
However, when I begin to understand how much I have been forgiven, and how much I am unconditionally accepted by God, then I can pass on this grace to those around me no matter how they act.
 
Prayer: “Lord, I am in myself so weak and fragile. Help me to rest in the shadow of your Almightiness, to trust you in each storm that comes into my life, to flee to your Word, to praise you and obey so you may work freely, bringing the good fruit you desire. Amen.”
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