Psalm 19:14
Contemporary English
Version (CEV)
14 Let my words and my thoughts
be pleasing to you, Lord,
because you are my mighty rock[a]
and my protector.
be pleasing to you, Lord,
because you are my mighty rock[a]
and my protector.
Several times a day my phone rings. The caller ID gives me a
number that is obviously just down the street from me, or a name that sounds
vaguely familiar. Who knows it may be a friend or an acquaintance, but not
someone who calls me every day. Still a bit skeptical I pick up the phone and
say “Hello.” I don’t often give my name anymore. They should know whom they are
calling. No answer and then a click. I say “Hello?” I’m much more skeptical
now. Then a voice with an accent from half way around the world says, “I’m
calling from Microsoft about your computer. We notice that you have a virus…”
By this time I would be a total idiot if I didn’t know that this call has only
criminal intent. The crook on the other end wants to get on my computer and
pull out my social security number, my bank accounts, my credit card numbers,
my business contacts, my friends’ and relatives’ details. It has only mayhem
for me. The voice has no more connection to Microsoft than I do.
In the past I have responded with venom and hate. I still
want to respond with venom and hate. How dare a villain invade my private space
so brazenly? I would like to attach the handcuffs right through the phone
lines.
What would Jesus do? I know what Jesus did in Matthew
23:13-39: “Woe unto you …” He minced no words. He told it like it was. This was
not a sweet; “Blessed are you …” It was not: “unless you are baptized…” But there was love in His voice. He loved the
fraudster; and hated his fraud. He yearned to have the swindler in his kingdom;
not of course as a swindler but as His brother or sister. But in the moment it
was simply, “Woe unto you…”
I still can’t say “Woe unto you…” with love in my voice and
heart, so I simply hang up on them. That’s not being impolite, that’s being
kind with regard to the anger in my breast.
What do you do?
Lord I love you, and I
try to love the unlovable. Please make me more loving!
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