OFFENDER HANDLING

Verse for Today: Friday, October 08, 2010

Psalms 12:5 - "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise", says the Lord. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

It is comforting to know that the Lord sees the oppression that His people go through in this world. He sees them groaning in pain and the sound of their groaning is heard in His presence. Quite often, the evil doers do not realize that the Lord is watching what they are doing. They are given ample opportunities to stop their evil works and turn to God in repentance. But they seem to think that no one sees it and that they can have it their way. But the Lord sees all the atrocities committed against His children. It could be a person in authority like a teacher, a boss, a law enforcement officer, a business person, a church leader or a neighbour who is biased against a child of God. If they do not turn away from their evil ways, there will be a day of accountability for them all in the presence of the Lord. When the children of God suffer as a result of the oppression and as they groan in the presence of the Lord, they are seen and heard by their Father in Heaven who shows loving kindness to them. On the one hand, He comforts them and gives them the reassurance that He will strengthen them even in the midst of human oppression. On the other hand, He sends a message of serious warning to these oppressors that He will dealt with them according to the measure of their iniquity against the children of God. The Lord will make them realize that when they touch His children, they are in effect touching Him, which will not go unpunished. But these evil doers still have opportunity to confess and repent of their sins of oppression and iniquity, and God's children are asked to pray for these enemies of theirs for them to turn to God and get forgiveness.

Dear friend, the injustice you are experiencing is not hidden from the eyes of your Father in Heaven. Your greatest consolation is that He knows it all and He will deal with those who ill-treat His children. Your Lord will arise one of these days to deal in the most fierce manner and at that time these oppressors will feel sorry for themselves. But then it will be too late for them to turn away from their wicked ways. At the same time, the Lord has taught us to forgive them. He has asked us to pray for them so that they will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is His desire that we do not retaliate or take revenge and leave it all to the Lord who knows how to judge these oppressors righteously. But we have a responsibility to show them kindness by feeding them if they are hungry or giving them drink if they are thirsty. Perhaps our acts of goodness will speak to their hearts and lead them to repentance. But we need to bear in mind that all who oppress God's children will have a just punishment awaiting them as they stand before the Great White Throne. If they do not repent before this great judgement, they would not be able to repent afterwards and will be punished by putting them into the bottomless pit along with Satan, the arch enemy of God. It will be too fierce a punishment for these oppressors. But the reason why they oppressed us was because they were still the children of wrath and did not turn around, repent and get saved. Their acts of oppression is a result of their sinful nature and unregenerate state. Let us be careful that we do not become oppressors of others in our words or deeds. We are called upon to build up and not tear down. It is our responsibility to strengthen the weak and comfort the hurting. Let us be constructive Christians and not destructive to the household of God. Let us pray for grace to love the enemies, pray for them and show them 'Calvary love'. Let our humble responses speak to them so that they can straighten their ways. Otherwise, they will have to face the Lord when He will arise as their judge.

1 Peter 2:19 - For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Thought for Today
It is for God to deal with our oppressors, but at the same time it is a challenge for us to show them agape love.

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