A new way of righting wrongs
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth’ (Isaiah 53:7).
Do you know what it feels like to suffer unjustly, to bear pain for something outside of your control? Illness or death, oppression, abuse. The list is long. You have your own story about suffering and pain, much like everybody else.
Dutch woman Corrie ten Boom was put into a German concentration camp in the 1940s for hiding hundreds of Jews and saving them from certain doom. Amid unspeakable suffering, she remained gentle and prayed for her fellow inmates as well as for the sadistic guards. She took every opportunity to read Scripture to the women in her barracks and teach them what the word of God meant for their lives. She also never failed to see that she was just as much in need of God’s forgiveness as those who oppressed her.
However deep the suffering you are going through, the arms of God reach deeper and surround you. He was wounded, oppressed, and afflicted. However dark the sin you have committed, the light of Jesus is so bright that it casts out even the greatest darkness. The iniquity of all of us was laid upon him. But instead of fighting back when he was deeply wronged, Jesus stood there silently and let it all happen. He asked Peter to put away his sword (John 18:11) and then allowed the crucifixion to go ahead.
How often do we long to get even with those who cause us to suffer? Instead of turning the other cheek, we want to defend ourselves. In the heat of the moment, we often forget a small detail – everyone is made in the image of God, even those who wrong us. Pray that the Lord will help you remember that every other human being is made in the image of God, just like you are, and that they are equally loved by him. See how God uses this outlook to change you.
Loving God, help me in my human imperfection and frailty to see others not with my own eyes but with your loving eyes as made in your image and equally loved by you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
