‘‘‘Forget The Former Things; Do Not Dwell On The Past. See, I Am Doing A New Thing!’’’ Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Gordon MacDonald writes, ‘When I asked a ninety-three-year-old man if he and his ninety-year-old wife ever have conflict, he assured me they do. I asked him how they treat each other in such moments, and he told me how important it is that he speaks tenderly to her. When I asked why, he told me that when his wife was a girl her father always spoke to her in a harsh and hurtful tone of voice. ‘Now whenever she hears any man speak in an angry manner, the feelings of hurt and fear return.’ ‘But that was eighty-five years ago,’ MacDonald replied, ‘are you telling me that she still remembers?’ ‘More than ever!’ he responded emphatically.’
In our earliest years we watch those who are largest in our lives and note how and when they express anger, joy, sadness and fear. And we take our cues from what we see. So, ‘What do I do with those painful memories?’ you ask. The Bible gives us at least four answers: 1) Practise repentance; acknowledge your own mistakes. 2) Demonstrate grace; forgive others – and yourself. 3) Show gratitude; focus on what’s good, not what’s bad. 4) Find wisdom; turn your pain into a learning experience. When Israel crossed the river Jordan, God commanded Joshua to erect a memorial of 12 stones saying: ‘‘‘…In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them…These stones are to be a memorial…’’’ (Joshua 4:6-7 NIV). In other words, remember with repentance, with grace, with gratitude, and with wisdom.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Word For Today
Sat 1st July 06
‘‘‘Where Are The Other Nine?’’’ Luke 17:17 NIV
One day ten men with leprosy came to Jesus saying, ‘‘‘…have pity on us!’’’ Pity; it was an admission that they were desperate for whatever charity another person might provide. ‘‘‘Go, show yourselves to the priests’’’ was Jesus’ response. ‘As they went, ‘ the Bible says, ‘they were cleansed’ (Luke 17:14 NIV). But the story doesn’t end there. ‘One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him – and he was a Samaritan’ (Luke 17:15-16 NIV).
What takes place next is very interesting. Jesus asks, ‘‘‘Where are the other nine?’’’ (Luke 17:17 NIV). Jesus is making a point: gratitude is important to Him. This story is there; to underscore the importance of having a grateful heart. Two statements are worth underlining: ‘…he… came back,’ and ‘‘‘Where are the other nine?’’’ Gratitude is ‘coming back’ to say thanks to the one who made it all possible. Gratitude isn’t a natural or instinctive thing for most of us, it’s a learned discipline, one that comes with a realisation that we neither deserve nor are entitled to God’s blessings. At best, we’re graced recipients of all we have and are. The old cowboy doffs his hat and says, ‘Much obliged.’ The words imply humility: that I cannot get along by myself. They imply reliance: that I need people around me, and that I need God. They imply value: that I recognise the cost involved in giving. They imply gladness: that my life has been filled with a joy that only comes when I reach out to others with grace.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
