365 Reflections

Psalm 55:22 (ESV) Cast your burden on the Lord , and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55 is one that many will resonate with. David has been backstabbed by his closest advisor during his own son Absalom's rebellion. In response to this mess, David does what he always does... he sings a song.  The Psalm has 4 main sections that show the different approaches David takes with this painful situation. In the first section, he complains and groans to God, talking about all the harm that his enemy has done to him. That's a popular approach for many. In the second section, David looks to escape:    “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; VERSES 6–7 . He wants out. He's looking to leave it all behind. When we are hurt by those who should have been our friends, we want to just get away from everything sometimes. In the third sect...

Paul writes about an offender in 2 Corinthians that the church must now restore. Obviously, there has been repentance and remorse of his sin, and Paul is clear, they must welcome him back to the fellowship. Many people believe this is the man from 1 Corinthians 5 in the incestuous relationship with his stepmother, but we cannot be sure. We CAN be sure it was someone who wronged Paul personally, turning many people against him and his Apostolic ministry. He was dealt with by the Corinthians with proper discipline and he now seeks restoration within the body. What does Paul say? 2 Corinthians 2:8 (ESV) So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. How would we do in Paul's place? When someone turns people against us, are we ready to beg others to forgive and love them? Or are we a bit skeptical of their remorse? Are we slightly turned off by them? Do they now wear a "scarlet letter" in our minds? We may not be nasty to them but we may simply regard them as pre...