But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the
other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat,
too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
Matthew 5:39-41 (NLT)
During the Revolutionary War there lived in Pennsylvania a pastor by the name of Peter
Miller. Although Miller was greatly loved by everyone in the community, there was one man
who lived near the church who hated him and had earned an unenviable reputation for his
abuse of the minister. This man was not only a hater of the church, but it also turned out
that he was a traitor to his country, and was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.
The trial was conducted in Philadelphia, and no sooner did Miller hear
of it than he set out on foot to visit General Washington and interceded for the
man’s life. But Washington told him, “I’m sorry that I cannot grant your
request for your friend.”
“Friend!” Miller cried. “Why, that man is the worst
enemy I have in the world!”
“What?” the general exclaimed in surprise. “Have you
walked sixty miles to save the life of an enemy? That, in my judgement, puts the matter in
a different light. I will grant him a pardon for your sake.”
The pardon was made out and signed by General Washington, and Miller
proceeded at once on foot to a place fifteen miles distant where the execution was
scheduled to take place that afternoon. He arrived just as the man was being carried to
the scaffold, and when he saw Miller hurrying toward the place, remarked, “There is
old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified
today by seeing me hung.” But scarcely had he spoken the words when Miller pushed his
way through to the condemned man and handed him the pardon that saved his life.
— Bible School Journal
Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman ©
October 7
It's so easy for us to try to settle our own accounts with those who hurt us and hurt
those we love, but God is the ultimate Accountant.
"Do not say, `I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and He will
deliver you" (Proverbs 20:22). There are people full of hate who do not get angry,
they get even. It will help us to know that God will get even with those individuals. He
takes the respon-sibility from us.
We all have an account with someone that we would like to balance but, for our own peace
of mind, we'd best let God do the examining and interpreting and concluding for us, for He
is a fair Judge, too.
October 8
It's nice to have things—until they have us. One can sleep in only one bed at a time,
live in only one house at a time, listen to so many tapes and records, and read only so
many books in a lifetime. And then there's the time spent arranging and dust-ing all our
pos-ses-sions, keeping the files in order, etc.
"...The ambition to buy everything that appeals to [us], and the pride that comes
from wealth and importance—these are not from God" (1 John 2:16 TLB). Let us ask
ourselves if we want this, much less need it, before we spend time and money on our next
purchase.
Pat Nordman ©
Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions With links to the entire devotion |
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Spurgeon's Morning for October 7 |
Spurgeon's Evening for October 7 |
| "Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?" - Numbers 11:11 |
"Now on whom dost thou trust?" - Isaiah 36:5 |
Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. |
Oh, blessed trust! To trust him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplussed, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! |
| Spurgeon's Morning for October 8 | Spurgeon's Evening for October 8 |
| "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." - Luke 5:4 |
"Praying in the Holy Ghost." - Jude 20 |
So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. |
A man prevails only as he believes. The Holy Spirit is the author of faith, and strengthens it, so that we pray believing God’s promise. |
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October 7 Mt 15:1 - 17:27 |
Current Bible Question |
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Previous question and Answer:
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But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
Under the Yoke by Cathy Vinson
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If your child came home from school fevered and fatigued, distressed about piling up homework and loss of time with friends, what would your response be? I imagine you'd help your child off with his or her coat and shoes, lay them down, bring a drink to relieve and soothe them, etc. If this is what you would do, you may be surprised at Jesus' response to His heavy laden ones. At first he draws them..."Come to Me you who are weary and burdened..." Our ears perk up, knowing He must be speaking to us. We expect He will say, "Here is a sofa; forget everything; take a month's vacation; escape." But what does He say? "Take My yoke upon you." Upon? Jesus, my shoulders are alreay cowering from the weight I've been bearing. Why would You want to add more to me? "Trust Me, My beloved, My rest is found under the yoke." Naturally we would like to fling off any yoke when we've carried extreme burdens. We want to be unburdened and to run free. While this may have some benefit, it isn't what grants the REST spoken of here by our Lord. It's found when I can in faith submit to His yoke. The farmer's yoke is precisely measured for the oxen's shoulders and carried by more than one. So is Jesus'. Under the yoke, I MUST look to the other side of the yoke...where Jesus is. As I learn to keep step with Him, He steadies me, and I learn of His gentleness and humility. It goes beyond natural reason, but it is UNDER the yoke, that I find Him, and in finding, my soul experiences its needed rest.
Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion. |
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Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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