A
daily, Bible-based
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Wednesday,
June 29, 2005
"Fire From Heaven"
"Fire From Heaven"
When the disciples James and John saw
this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven
to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. (9:54, 55).
Have you felt like calling fire down on anyone lately? Is there a person or situation in your life today which naggingly prompts a spirit of vindictiveness? You want to get even and see God just take care of the matter and perhaps a lightning bolt would be OK with you.
The disciples felt their Master was being insulted, as He was not welcomed in a Samaritan village on His way to Jerusalem. James and John asked Jesus, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" This, by the way, is the same John we know of as the "apostle of love"!
"But Jesus turned and rebuked them." That sure must have stung when they felt they were protecting His honor.
God is not vindictive. The tremendous blessing of the sun and rain are bestowed upon both the righteous and the unrighteous. At times we would like to see our Father acting in a manner that we reckon as just, particularly when we've been wronged. And the sooner the better!
Surely this non-vindictiveness does not negate the truth of future judgment. But judgment is in His hands and in His time. The Bible plainly teaches this. But as "sons of our Father in heaven" we are called to demonstrate this non-vindictive character in our walk with Christ.
Have you been hurt? Of course you have. We all have. Hurtful situations I've experienced come to mind even as I type this. But I have learned (well, really I'm still learning) that a vindictive approach is more harmful to me than to my enemy. God will, in His time, take care of the matter and I, like the disciples, also need rebuked when I'm tempted to "call fire down from heaven."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Have you felt like calling fire down on anyone lately? Is there a person or situation in your life today which naggingly prompts a spirit of vindictiveness? You want to get even and see God just take care of the matter and perhaps a lightning bolt would be OK with you.
The disciples felt their Master was being insulted, as He was not welcomed in a Samaritan village on His way to Jerusalem. James and John asked Jesus, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" This, by the way, is the same John we know of as the "apostle of love"!
"But Jesus turned and rebuked them." That sure must have stung when they felt they were protecting His honor.
God is not vindictive. The tremendous blessing of the sun and rain are bestowed upon both the righteous and the unrighteous. At times we would like to see our Father acting in a manner that we reckon as just, particularly when we've been wronged. And the sooner the better!
Surely this non-vindictiveness does not negate the truth of future judgment. But judgment is in His hands and in His time. The Bible plainly teaches this. But as "sons of our Father in heaven" we are called to demonstrate this non-vindictive character in our walk with Christ.
Have you been hurt? Of course you have. We all have. Hurtful situations I've experienced come to mind even as I type this. But I have learned (well, really I'm still learning) that a vindictive approach is more harmful to me than to my enemy. God will, in His time, take care of the matter and I, like the disciples, also need rebuked when I'm tempted to "call fire down from heaven."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's Note: "In
Your time, Lord, You make all things beautiful. Only You can take
the
hurtful situations I face and turn them into blessing. You turn
my
mourning into gladness and my weeping into dancing as You lift the
heavy burdens that weigh me down. O God, by Your strength, I will
look
to You and not allow the heartache I am dealing with to overwhelm me,
for "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13).
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Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
©
1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission;
and the King James Version.
Personal Mission
Statement: "I am
created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I
have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My
mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to
prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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