Title: God's Broken Heart / Topic: Handling Betrayal
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 63,64; Psalm 107; John 2
Scripture: Isaiah 63:8-10 --- He said, "Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me"; and so He became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy and He Himself fought against them.
Observation: No one can break our hearts like our children. Here the prophet describes with great pathos the broken heart of God and His sense of betrayal at the hands of those He loved the most---His children for whom He had given everything. Any caring parent can relate to God's feelings of being distressed when His kids are distressed. Most every parent I know wants to alleviate the suffering of their children, to protect them from bullies and people of evil intent and to love and provide well for them. In return, what do we expect? Love, respect and an embracing of the values we've worked hard to model and inculcate in them. And, like God, when our kids rebel, we are grieved to the core of our being. I find the last line of verse 10 quite intriguing. How can a loving, perfect God turn and become an enemy to His beloved children, even though they broke His heart? His perfection demands that He not compromise principles of truth. Often we human parents will compromise what we know is right for the sake of being friends with with our kids. We can't stand to have them be upset with us or emotionally distant from us. Also, because god has perfect knowledge, He knows just how much punishment is needed to restore someone; we do not. That is why we must forgive our children (or any one else who betrays us) and leave the judgment to God.
Application: Based on this passage, how should we respond to betrayal? 1) Know that God understands exactly how we feel and we can pour out our hearts to Him and receive His comfort. 2) Forgive those who offend you completely. 3) Never compromise God's standards for the sake of "peace" even with those you love the most. 4) Don't rescue your loved ones from the consequences of their rebellion; you may hinder their return to God if you do. 5) Trust God for your loved ones and don't react out of pain. Better to spend minimal time with those who hurt you if they continue to cause you pain so you can keep your thoughts where God wants them. And pray!
Prayer: Lord, help us to respond with the wisdom,discernment, forgiveness and love of Your Spirit whenever we face the betrayal of loved ones.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
3 Comments:
Cynthia,
Verse 10 is indeed startling. God's ways are sometimes quite out of the box!
And while it may be tempting to think that this may give a person license to take a similar approach with their own children, it must be remembered that only God has the ability to act without regard for self. If I were to become the enemy to any person who hurt me, whether family, friend or acquaintance, there is no way that I could be sure I was acting righteously. I must leave that approach to God and strive to walk in the forgiveness that Jesus instructed: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful..." Luke 6:27-36
Good Word Cynthia! You are very organized and your presentation is very clear and heartfelt. This is blog is a tool in the hands of the Lord. I wonder what He will do with it. The truths are timeless. Thanks for sharing.
Good Word Cynthia! You are very organized and your presentation is very clear and heartfelt. This blog is a tool in the hands of the Lord. I wonder what He will do with it. The truths are timeless. Thanks for sharing.
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