Thoughts for another day

July 2, 2008

Today's verse: Neh. 4:4. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes we find people despising us without any reason. They slander and malign and spread tales about us tarnishing our names, reputation and character. Others take note of what’s said and they too begin talking ill about us, so much so that we feel depressed and defeated. Some of us are so driven to desperation that they even contemplate suicide, just to wash the taint of shame shoveled upon them by these heroes of modesty and chastity. It reminds me of the lady allegedly caught in the act of adultery whom the scribes and Pharisees bring to Jesus. It’s only when Jesus asks the one without sin to cast the first stone that they vanish.

What does a believer do at such times? Exactly as Nehemiah and his band did when they faced opposition in the work of God. Pray to Him and tell Him about it. In doing that, we open the door for Grace to flow into our lives and also remove the blocks preventing God’s retribution upon these peddlers of grief.

I once heard about a young widow, with a small infant, who was tormented by her neighbors with allegations of being immodest. Her only fault was that a male colleague used to often drop in at her place to help her out with little chores, which did not go well with her neighbor, an elderly lady who started a sordid tale to malign this lady. Though completely innocent, this widow had to go through a horrible experience thrust upon her. She believed God and left it to Him, without as much as fighting with the neighbors even while she knew who was maligning her. Emboldened, this neighbor influenced the others so much with her own tales of what an ‘out of character’ the young woman was, that the neighbors now looked upon the lady as an outcast. The experience was so humiliating that the widow suddenly vanished one day.

Time passed and then the wrath of God hit this neighbor. She was paralysed, unable to even move herself. Her family members then put her bed outside and there was such a stink near her. Eventually, she died a miserable death with even her family boycotting her funeral! I don’t say that we should rejoice in such things. All I am saying is that when someone wrongs you; do not go about seeking revenge, for revenge only belongs to God. Just fall on your knees and appeal to the just Owner of the universe. He will redress your situation.