As Much As Depends On You

Psalms 120:1-2 In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.

Here is a truth that many of us do not like or desire to experience. That truth is that all of us who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior will, at some point, be in distress. If we are alive, breathing, and living on earth, it is unavoidable. Jonah used these words to cry out to God when he found himself in the belly of the great fish. Interestingly, the great fish Jonah found himself in was prepared for him by God Himself. In Jonah's case it was because Jonah disobeyed God, and refused to go to Nineveh to preach to the people there. Nonetheless, think about the condition Jonah found himself in. He was in complete darkness. I cannot imagine that the belly of a fish smells very pretty. I am talking about "gagging and throwing up" kind of smelly. On top of all that, imagine what the digestive enzymes of that fish's belly did to Jonah's skin. This is what our distress may feel like when we are falsely accused, and lied about. Yet, this is the very thing that God may allow someone to do, as He uses the occasion to teach us how to respond in a godly manner. So how do we respond to someone who just outright lies about us? Do we lash out? Do we immediately defend ourselves? The psalmist shows us that the first thing we need to do is go to the One who knows the truth. We cry out to the Lord who knows our heart, and knows the truth. As difficult as it may be, sometimes the best course of action is to remain silent, and only speak when the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak. Then when we do, we do it with love, from a calm and peaceful heart, knowing that God will reveal the truth and take vengeance against the liars in His time and His way. The bottom line is that we cannot control what others say about us. What we can do is choose to live life doing what is right before God. In this way, when the liars speak their false accusations and lies, they will eventually be put to shame (1 Peter 3:13-17). The psalmist desired peace, but those around him wanted war. So it is today that no matter how much we desire peace, there will be those around us who will prefer division, and seem to thrive on causing trouble and lying about others. Yes...sadly...even amongst the brethren. So how are we to respond? Well, we go to God and His Word, and seek from Him the response that would honor Him most and bring Him the most glory. Romans 12:17-18 "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." The rest of that portion of Scripture is God's promise that He will take vengeance, if we move aside and give room to His wrath by being kind and showing love toward the offender(s).

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).