It's Me Again God 2

53. The Noblest Way

It's me again God,

Another beautiful morning brings me into a special new day to live for You! I so want to bring glory to You through my words and actions today. Lord I look forward to the day when I will be free from this mind and body which so easily falls into temptation! Even if I were alone on a deserted island —I would still have a tendency to sin but the fact that I am always around other people means that my interactions can lead me down a slippery slope of many kinds of sin!

Adding to this, ever since I have read a novel or watched others through plays, movies and television programs, I have seen various sins played out over and over again. It's like I am being programmed with entirely different responses to the ones You teach in Your Word! Now that we have YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, short clips are played over and over —often reinforcing a sinful act or inappropriate response to another. I am so thankful for Jesus' death and resurrection, which means that the penalty for my sins has been paid and You see me as pure and holy as Your Son! Thank You that every time I sin, I can be sure that Jesus' blood covered each one. Your grace is amazing!

While this brings me great joy and peace knowing my eternity is secure, I am very challenged by these last words of Romans 12 —I have a choice to make each day:

"Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody's friend. Beloved, don't be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God's righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay," says the Lord. And: If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor. Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:17-21‬ ‭TPT‬‬

So many novels, movies and television programs are focussed on people holding grudges and trying to get even, the very opposite to how I should live as Your child. I need to plan my life around Your ways which include trying to benefit others. Please Holy Spirit, help me to think of ways I can benefit someone who hurt me in the past.

Lord the world teaches that everyone has enemies but You say to do my best to live as everyone's friend! Taking revenge is almost glorified in movies and television plots —it easily becomes an obsession but it's certainly not Your way for me. Thank You that Your righteous judgement takes care of every situation where injustice has prevailed. There is no need for me to get involved other than to do the exact opposite which is to show kindness to those who have hurt me. This is such a turnaround but winning someone over with kindness is definitely worth trying!

Thank You for showing me the right way to approach every situation! The battle against the enemy is real —I will not be defeated by evil! Today I will defeat evil with good! Lead me Lord, for I cannot do this in my own strength. I can do it in Your strength and grace. Fill me with Your Spirit and may the fruit I produce bring glory to You!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.