23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” a but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Psalm 25:23-25
Before we look at David’s words in Psalm 25:23-25, think with me of a time when you were harassed, belittled, humiliated, etc. How old were you? Were you harassed by an individual or a crowd? Were they right? Partially right? Or were they simply out to humiliate you at your expense? The good news is that your answers to these questions do not matter in the light of eternity. What matters is how you respond to these questions.
Having celebrated our Risen Lord recently, let’s look at verses 23-25 of Psalm 25. Many of you can probably relate to this situation whether years ago, yesterday or even today. Our normal reaction is usually to retaliate or strike back in some way. On our own, we do not act as a follower of Christ. We/I have a tendency to want to give them a taste of their own medicine. Leviticus 19:18 says, “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Matthew 5:38-40 instructs us to turn the other cheek. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
In Matthew 6, Jesus cried to His Father to forgive them for they knew not what they were doing.
Verse 23 tells us he did not retaliate! It says, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. Jesus made no threats as he suffered.
1 John 4:7,8 John tells us to love our neighbor… Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. John cautions us to be mindful of our relationships so as not to break fellowship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, due to hardened hearts and retaliations towards our neighbors.
This very week, I realized I was harboring negative feelings toward someone and I needed to confess. Lord, purify my heart and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank you for taking this burden from me. Who do you need to respond to in your heart today?
Take Care Because God and I Care,
Judy
