The current atmosphere in American society can be unnerving. It seems that there is a general lack of graciousness, with the scent of anger and hostility lingering in the air. People of different opinions and persuasions—political or otherwise—are content to take the stance of “us” versus “them.” And the desire or intent is to take “them” down so that “we” would prosper. Sadly, such may be observed even among professing Christians. Most engage in a battle of words, often using social media to the fullest. Others may even take it to the extreme of acting violently against their perceived enemies. No room for grace!
I was reading the Psalms recently and came across this statement: “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others” (Psalm 52:7 NIV)! David was describing Doeg, a person who had acted maliciously against him, and who put his life in danger. David affirms his own commitment to the Lord and desires that the Lord will vindicate him against his enemy.
It is so easy to align myself with David and think of people who may have done me wrong or hurt me. Or I may just think of “those” other people with whom I disagree regarding some issue or teaching. Then I can start patting myself on the back for not being like “them.”
But, instead, the Lord led my thoughts to consider how I may be more like Doeg rather than David. In particular, the words “grew strong by destroying others” stood out. Now, I am not confessing to any kind of action where I pursued the destruction of another—verbally or otherwise—so that I would “grow strong.” Yet, I do wonder how many times I may have come close to such a posture. For example, I wonder about times when I may have had a thought or an attitude that depreciated another person or his ideas in a way that, in my mind and heart, I destroyed them and made myself strong. In other words, in my mind I lift myself up with sinful arrogance. That would make me no different than the “godly” Pharisee who looked down on the “sinful” tax collector (Luke 18.9-14). No grace there!
The posture of our hearts and the imaginations of our mind are the springs from which our actions may flow. If they are not right, and we trust in ourselves and in our own goodness instead of in the Lord, then we fool ourselves and design our own downfall.
May the Lord create in us a pure heart and a right spirit that we may become agents of his grace. Let grace be great again!
—Keith Y. Jainga