Love God Greatly: BeatitudesSample

There are no battles we are called to fight on our own: no political battles, no relational battles, no personal battles. It is when we stop believing in God's promises to set the whole world right that we respond with ungodly anger, violence, and aggression. Paul's commands here are all based on the reality that God will fight our battles for us. We certainly have work to do, but it never requires us to take control or act in unrighteous ways. One of our greatest witnesses to a weary and war-torn world is our gentle insistence that God is in control.  

It is also important to remember that we are still called to say and do hard things: to speak the truth even when it is unpopular, to defend the powerless, to seek the welfare of our communities. All of this work, however, should be grounded in faith in God's sovereignty and obedience to His commands to be humble and gentle. 

Thank You, Lord, that You are in control of everything in the world! Give me faith in Your power and the courage to live gently and humbly in the world.