Day 295, Year 1

Understanding the History and Living Wisely in the Present

“And say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'” (Matthew 23:30 NASB)

Today’s verse can be understood as the Pharisees, etc., would obey God and differ from their predecessors. But do people’s willingness truly equate to their actions? At that time, Jesus thought that the evidence of the sins of the Pharisees, etc., was their approval of their ancestors’ slaughter of the prophets. Additionally, they wanted to kill Jesus. Of course, if God commands people with a deafening voice, I believe that it is very difficult for anyone not to obey. Yet, God often conveys His words through His humble servants. This involves the issue of discernment about the authenticity of God’s servants and His Word. How can we avoid the problems of the Pharisees, etc.?

To begin with, we should clear our minds when we are involved in a certain matter. One way to do this is to try to detach ourselves and view what we are experiencing from an outsider’s perspective. This often requires taking a moment of quiet after a series of events and reactions to reflect, so as to be freed from the current situation and emotions. It is vital for us to reflect on what we have experienced, along with our related beliefs and values. Although it can be difficult at times, we can rely on the wise people around us to give us impartial advice.

Besides, the words of the prophets are often unpleasant. It is because God usually stretches believers to the limit so that we will wholeheartedly rely on Him to obey His words. Oftentimes, God’s Word challenges established frameworks, what is assumed to be right or wrong, and our faith in Him. In addition, when God sends His servants to deliver His words, they are prone to provoke pride and anger in some people. Proud people tend to regard God’s servants as prideful. Yet, in reality, it is those who resist God’s Word who are arrogant. Hence, God’s servants are often persecuted and even killed throughout history.

When people see others making mistakes, many tend to think that they can avoid making the same mistakes. Some psychological studies indicate that people tend to overestimate their abilities while believing others are inferior. In other words, before experiencing the difficulty of obeying God’s Word, we tend to think that we can generally manage ourselves. But when God’s trials really come, we will then realize the challenges. The points above are reminders for us to stay vigilant, learn to discern God’s Word wisely, remain clear-headed, be willing to accept His challenges, overcome pride, and assess our abilities with a fair perspective.

Reflection questions:

1) Are you able to detach from yourself, understand what you are experiencing, and reflect on your related beliefs and values?

2) Are you able to discern easily between God’s Word and human words in different conversations, and are you willing to obey His instructions and guidance?