PSALM 55:17-18

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

TO PONDER

It seems like everyone has to be opposed to something these days; everyone needs a scapegoat or a group of people that they can rally against and paint as the bad guy. Sometimes there is no way of avoiding being someone's opponent, sometimes you become their opposition without even realising it and it is often because of your faith in Jesus.

Well let's be honest, it's not usually about your faith in Jesus, after all, who could have a problem with Jesus. He was a pretty good guy in the grand scheme of things; had some good insights about life and how to treat others how you want to be treated... stuff like that. Nah, Jesus was ok. It's Christians that are the problems these days.

It's Christians who are intolerant of people who are different to themselves. It's Christians who want to take all the fun out of life. It's Christians who are judgmental of others and project that 'holier than thou' attitude... the list goes on and on if you care to listen.

To be fair, some of these statements hold a bit of water. Sometimes us Christians, when we lose sight of God's love and mercy to all people, can be a bit judgy. Sometimes, we are guilty of intolerance when we hold different perspective to others. What are we to do in those situations... Look to Jesus.

Jesus had the worst of it and sets us a prime example of how to hold up under that kind of pressure. When God's chosen people rejected him as the messiah they had been waiting for, they also became his opponents, seeking to trick him or trap him at every opportunity. And yet, Jesus just went on doing the Father's business. Jesus cried out in distress on the cross, and God delivered him, even though the people he had come to save had made themselves his opponents, Jesus still died for them.

I know it seems impossible, but that's the standard of love we are to aim for. Even when people oppose us, we are to love them like Jesus loves us, and trust that his love for us will not let us down. It's easy to say but difficult to do. Why not just give it a try? What have you got to lose?

PRAYER:Lord God, it can be tough trying to live as one of your children in the world today, a world that often puts itself in opposition to you and to your church. Help me to live and to love others, even those who oppose me (and you) with the love of Jesus. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle