HE THREATENED NOT
Here is an amazing truth connected with Christ's suffering: "When he was reviled, [he] reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not" (1 Peter 2:23).
What a tremendous statement: "When He suffered, He threatened not." He never once defended Himself against those who mistreated Him. He punished no one nor retaliated against any.
How unlike us! We threaten when suffering gets unbearable; we defend ourselves; we constantly protect our rights and reputation. Worst of all, we threaten God. It's a very subtle thing, and most of us are not aware of what we are doing. When our prayers go unanswered—when trouble and disaster strike our lives—when it seems as though the Lord has let us down and we end up lonely and in pain—we pull back on God. We slack up on prayer and Bible reading. We still love Him, but we let go of our zeal. We begin to drift and our faith becomes dull, inactive. Those responses are all threats against the Lord.
Every time we back off from seeking the Lord with all our hearts, we are threatening Him. It's a subtle way of saying, "Lord, I did my best and You let me down."
The Lord has infinite patience with those of us who hurt. He waits lovingly until we return to His tender care. But it can become a way of life, a threat to God's faithfulness, if we refuse to wake up and renew our faith and hope in Him. Some become so disillusioned, they give in to their lusts and passions. They indulge their desires because the battle seems so hopeless. It's their way of saying, "What's the use? I call on God to help me, to deliver me, but help never comes. I've still got this thing in me, after all my tears and prayers."
It finally comes to this: "I have a right to do it—because I've been hurt so badly." It's a threat to God, a way of getting even with Him for not answering prayer on schedule.
Beloved, there is hope! The Lord of Hosts is with us! He alone is our keeper. He will not let His children slip or fall. We are held in the palm of His hand.
Let us do as Christ did. He "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). "To commit" is to place your life completely in His hands. Give up your struggle, quit trying to accomplish anything in your own strength, and commit the keeping of your body and soul to the Lord of Hosts!
What a tremendous statement: "When He suffered, He threatened not." He never once defended Himself against those who mistreated Him. He punished no one nor retaliated against any.
How unlike us! We threaten when suffering gets unbearable; we defend ourselves; we constantly protect our rights and reputation. Worst of all, we threaten God. It's a very subtle thing, and most of us are not aware of what we are doing. When our prayers go unanswered—when trouble and disaster strike our lives—when it seems as though the Lord has let us down and we end up lonely and in pain—we pull back on God. We slack up on prayer and Bible reading. We still love Him, but we let go of our zeal. We begin to drift and our faith becomes dull, inactive. Those responses are all threats against the Lord.
Every time we back off from seeking the Lord with all our hearts, we are threatening Him. It's a subtle way of saying, "Lord, I did my best and You let me down."
The Lord has infinite patience with those of us who hurt. He waits lovingly until we return to His tender care. But it can become a way of life, a threat to God's faithfulness, if we refuse to wake up and renew our faith and hope in Him. Some become so disillusioned, they give in to their lusts and passions. They indulge their desires because the battle seems so hopeless. It's their way of saying, "What's the use? I call on God to help me, to deliver me, but help never comes. I've still got this thing in me, after all my tears and prayers."
It finally comes to this: "I have a right to do it—because I've been hurt so badly." It's a threat to God, a way of getting even with Him for not answering prayer on schedule.
Beloved, there is hope! The Lord of Hosts is with us! He alone is our keeper. He will not let His children slip or fall. We are held in the palm of His hand.
Let us do as Christ did. He "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). "To commit" is to place your life completely in His hands. Give up your struggle, quit trying to accomplish anything in your own strength, and commit the keeping of your body and soul to the Lord of Hosts!