Prophet’s Reading Plan: Isaiah 39-42
And the fruit of the Spirit is… patience…
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
18th century English author Samuel Johnson
said, “A man may shoot the
man who invades his character, as he may shoot him who attempts to break into
his house.” This was the opinion
of many upper-class gentlemen of centuries past. It was a great offense to
insult a person’s character – an offense that could result in one man
challenging another to a duel. Character must be defended, and the duel was a
way for men to display courage and defend their honour.
This
proverb seems to teach us something different: it is to one’s glory – his honour – to overlook an offense. Glory speaks of something more lasting, more
heavenly, than honour. It is when Jesus comes back that we will see His glory
cover the earth like the waters cover the sea. We will see the glory of God and
we will be given our glorious resurrected bodies. Glory will be the forever
awe-inspiring norm of heaven. And it is to our personal glory – our future
glory – when we overlook an offense. There are countless opportunities to take
offense in a day. Whether it is a snide remark or sarcastic comment, an
unanswered email, a friend’s cancellation of plans or your family’s failure to
tell you the details of the next gathering, the chance to take offense over
something is ever-looming. And though we no longer meet in the street with revolvers
at high noon, we duel with others in alternatively deadly ways. Bitterness is a
quick nurse to offense, and gossip and revenge easy medicines, but healing
never comes by these means. Rather God tells us it is wise to be patient, or in
another version, to be “slow to anger.”
Offense
is a problem for many of us and an inner duel is a habitual response. But when
the temptation to take offense arises we must say, “I give this to You, Jesus.”
He will change our heart as we surrender.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1. Ask God to make you aware of offense today. Ask Him what
he wants you to do when the temptation to take offense arises.
2. Ask God to make you aware of how you come across to
others today. Be quick to apologize if you know you’ve offended.
3. Ask God to show you something you’ve done in the past
week that has pleased Him and contributed to you eternal reward. Praise Him.
