And [Jesus] sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. 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 (Luke 9:52-55).
Heavenly Father, You are the Rock, Your works are perfect, and all Your ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just are You (Deuteronomy 32:4). You are slow to anger, abounding in love (Numbers 14:18). So unlike us!
We are so much like these "sons of thunder," James and John, wanting to call down firepower on those who oppose us! Forgive our misguided applications and our misplaced zeal! Thank You for the prompt rebuke by the Lord Jesus, showing James and John, and us, that the responsibility for judgment and vengeance rests not with us in our limited understanding, our limited vision, and our limited mercy.
Teach us O Father, to look at others through eyes of patience, love and compassion. Grow us in grace, and in the love of a God who causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).
Help us not to become swallowed up in worldly "wisdoms" and advice that encourage us to classify people into those who are "in our camp" and those who are not. Give us the wisdom and the prudence to discern and guard against malice and ill-intent, but help us not to be disposed to a divisive or constantly affronted mindset.
Teach us shrewdness with innocence (Matthew 10:16). Remind us of the words of our Lord Jesus, who redirected us from all we "have heard it said" (Matthew 5:21-48) to a radical standard of love and forgiveness.
Call to our mind the words of the apostle John, For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen (1 John 4:20). Give us new eyes to see the world around us, new understanding of what it means that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
Change in us the tendency to view people from a single desensitizing perspective—Samaritans, foreigners, outsiders, enemies. Teach us the personal love of a God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to offer eternal life to every individual who accepts His offer of forgiveness (John 3:16).
Help us to have, like Jesus, a great and loving concern for souls.
Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light, Like a little candle burning in the night; In this world of darkness, we must shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, first of all for Him; Well He sees and knows it if our light is dim; He looks down from heaven, sees us shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around Many kinds of darkness in this world abound: Sin, and want, and sorrow—we must shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, as we work for Him, Bringing those that wander from the paths of sin; He will ever help us, if we shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine.
~ Susan B. Warner ~ Published 1864
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