by: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“Don’t forget to pray for us too……” Colossians 4:12 NLT
There are a lot of spiritual lessons and insights we can get regarding intercession. To intercede is to go to God for someone in prayer, bringing other people’s pain to the throne of grace as if it were your own. To be an intercessor has two obvious truths. Number one, you are praying for another. Number two is you are humble enough to ask others to pray for you. One cannot stand without the other. You don’t only pray for others like Paul you take the risk or vulnerability to ask others to pray for you.
It is so humbling that the great Apostle would solicit prayers for him and his team as they discern the open doors God opens for the gospel. The clear lesson here is no one is so sufficient that he can only depend on his own prayer. God designed it in such a manner that we nourish our prayer life connected with the community of other praying believers. Do you pray for others aside from your immediate love ones? Do you have a circle of praying friends that is ready to pray for you even in the middle of the night? It is a great comfort to know that our Lord Jesus Himself is our great intercessor and that He never forgets to pray for His own.
Remember asking for prayers need discernment. Be careful to reveal your deep prayer request to people who are not prayerful, for your prayer request will become the latest gossip of the town. The same is also true while asking for prayers from other praying believers let us also discern our involving others in prayer lest this become a gossip item rather than a sincere prayer item. Where do you get discernment in prayer? When you pray! I think it was Oswald Chambers who said that we exercise discernment not to judge others so we can intercede. Wow timely reminder for all of us.
It is startling that Paul addressed his prayer request not to individuals but to the church. He solicited prayer to a church, a congregation who prays! Honestly, how serious and committed is the church today in prayer? If you ask prayer from the prayer less church it will end to no one praying for it! Let this be a challenge that as a church let us ask God to create in our hearts a burning desire to pray. Pray for others and humbling asking others to pray for us!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
LIVING THE NEW LIFE IS LIVING A LIFE OF PRAYER
By: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart/”
Colossians 4:2 NLT
As prayer is so important in the life of Christ it was also so important in the life of Paul and the early church. In fact Paul’s admonition to all the churches was to be a people of prayer. He made mention of Ephapras to be a man who agonize in prayer (4:12). As Christ modeled it became an attraction to his disciples that they requested Him to teach them how to pray! Prayer and Christ are inseparable and so role of prayer in living out our new life is essential.
Paul exhorted the church to devote themselves in prayer. The word “devote” speaks of urgency and priority meaning this should never take second place in the lives of those who follow Christ. Just like in any other relationship the barometer of intimacy and being close is when both parties are not just in talking terms but eagerly looking forward for that delightful moment of communion and conversation.
Paul said devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful hearts. How are these instruction applied? If prayer is an essential part of living the new life, being alert would mean being focused. Remember prayer is not a play ground but a battle ground, it is here that the ultimate hatred of hell us unleashed to prevent any child of God from enjoying God. Being alert means to be focused on God himself and not be distracted by the problems and needs that we bring to Him. Prayer in the new life is finding sufficiency and significance on God Himself. There are times that we think we are praying when in reality we are talking to ourselves. Prayer is talking to God and not self talk.
In prayer we loose our focus on self and direct all our attention and energy to seek God. The new life is about living the will of God in our lives, remember it’s no longer self but Christ and in prayer a Christ centered life and a God first living, Holy Spirit empowered living is happening. Take away prayer, we are not living the new life, we still trust our efforts. What prevents us from enjoying the new life is not unanswered prayer but it’s the tragedy of unoffered prayers. In prayer we are invited to be authentic. Yes we can direct all our complaints to God Himself then at the end we become thankful people instead of bitter ones. In other words when the Lord is doing further transformation of our attitudes and providing us spiritual breakthrough He is doing it when we are in prayer! The new life is a life of prayer, the more weak and messy the more we kneel at the throne of grace for mercy.
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart/”
Colossians 4:2 NLT
As prayer is so important in the life of Christ it was also so important in the life of Paul and the early church. In fact Paul’s admonition to all the churches was to be a people of prayer. He made mention of Ephapras to be a man who agonize in prayer (4:12). As Christ modeled it became an attraction to his disciples that they requested Him to teach them how to pray! Prayer and Christ are inseparable and so role of prayer in living out our new life is essential.
Paul exhorted the church to devote themselves in prayer. The word “devote” speaks of urgency and priority meaning this should never take second place in the lives of those who follow Christ. Just like in any other relationship the barometer of intimacy and being close is when both parties are not just in talking terms but eagerly looking forward for that delightful moment of communion and conversation.
Paul said devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful hearts. How are these instruction applied? If prayer is an essential part of living the new life, being alert would mean being focused. Remember prayer is not a play ground but a battle ground, it is here that the ultimate hatred of hell us unleashed to prevent any child of God from enjoying God. Being alert means to be focused on God himself and not be distracted by the problems and needs that we bring to Him. Prayer in the new life is finding sufficiency and significance on God Himself. There are times that we think we are praying when in reality we are talking to ourselves. Prayer is talking to God and not self talk.
In prayer we loose our focus on self and direct all our attention and energy to seek God. The new life is about living the will of God in our lives, remember it’s no longer self but Christ and in prayer a Christ centered life and a God first living, Holy Spirit empowered living is happening. Take away prayer, we are not living the new life, we still trust our efforts. What prevents us from enjoying the new life is not unanswered prayer but it’s the tragedy of unoffered prayers. In prayer we are invited to be authentic. Yes we can direct all our complaints to God Himself then at the end we become thankful people instead of bitter ones. In other words when the Lord is doing further transformation of our attitudes and providing us spiritual breakthrough He is doing it when we are in prayer! The new life is a life of prayer, the more weak and messy the more we kneel at the throne of grace for mercy.
Friday, October 1, 2010
YOUR WORK MATTERS TO GOD
By: Rev. Arnel Tan
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”
Colossians 3:23 KJV
Unemployment is not just an economic issue it is also about character issue. God is so involved in your work. In the strictest sense of the word He is the real One who hires and fires. If you are employed today consider this instruction of Paul. By the way this instruction is addressed not to the general crowd but only to those who have found their new life in Christ. If you are unemployed today consider this as a spiritual preparation now so when the Lord grants you your work, you will excel for God’s glory!
The word “whatever” suggest that all kinds of work that does not violate the standards of God is acceptable to the Lord. Whether you are a plumber, a CEO, an inventor or etc, God desires to walk with you in your routine. Believe it with all of your heart it does make a difference when you dedicate your work to God. Living the new life in the work place is our worship to God too. It means do it heartily! Christ like excellence is not being the best but doing your very best availing of God’s strength. Remember that the reward of man is second it is God’s reward that is lasting. Man’s reward is short live and will soon be caught in the cob webs of boredom and performance. God’s reward is lasting it makes you depend more to the Lord than your self.
Work is an extension of worship but be warned not to worship your work! God rested on the seventh day, shouldn’t we rest too? To become workaholics makes us people who depends on our work instead of God. This is also another form of PRIDE. Ministers are not exempted for there is not difference between secular work and ministry work when it comes to making it acceptable to God. It is not accident that you are in the work God gave you especially if you sought God in fervent prayer. It is also a wise advise that you consistently seek God and listen to His voice as you pray and study His words, diligently discerning if God still want you to stay in your work now. If He says God adjust your sail to the direction He leads you. Remember it is impossible to please God without faith.
Lastly don’t forget the Paul’s words that work is done excellently not unto men but unto the Lord. So wherever your company assigns you don’t look at the position or the power along with it rather look to Jesus the One who walks with you in your work place. Start your day with a quiet prayer that you may learn to be wise as you seek God. Leave your work with a thankful heart and again in prayer commit yourself to God that you may not come home an angry person. Enjoy your work today for your security is in the Lord of the work!
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”
Colossians 3:23 KJV
Unemployment is not just an economic issue it is also about character issue. God is so involved in your work. In the strictest sense of the word He is the real One who hires and fires. If you are employed today consider this instruction of Paul. By the way this instruction is addressed not to the general crowd but only to those who have found their new life in Christ. If you are unemployed today consider this as a spiritual preparation now so when the Lord grants you your work, you will excel for God’s glory!
The word “whatever” suggest that all kinds of work that does not violate the standards of God is acceptable to the Lord. Whether you are a plumber, a CEO, an inventor or etc, God desires to walk with you in your routine. Believe it with all of your heart it does make a difference when you dedicate your work to God. Living the new life in the work place is our worship to God too. It means do it heartily! Christ like excellence is not being the best but doing your very best availing of God’s strength. Remember that the reward of man is second it is God’s reward that is lasting. Man’s reward is short live and will soon be caught in the cob webs of boredom and performance. God’s reward is lasting it makes you depend more to the Lord than your self.
Work is an extension of worship but be warned not to worship your work! God rested on the seventh day, shouldn’t we rest too? To become workaholics makes us people who depends on our work instead of God. This is also another form of PRIDE. Ministers are not exempted for there is not difference between secular work and ministry work when it comes to making it acceptable to God. It is not accident that you are in the work God gave you especially if you sought God in fervent prayer. It is also a wise advise that you consistently seek God and listen to His voice as you pray and study His words, diligently discerning if God still want you to stay in your work now. If He says God adjust your sail to the direction He leads you. Remember it is impossible to please God without faith.
Lastly don’t forget the Paul’s words that work is done excellently not unto men but unto the Lord. So wherever your company assigns you don’t look at the position or the power along with it rather look to Jesus the One who walks with you in your work place. Start your day with a quiet prayer that you may learn to be wise as you seek God. Leave your work with a thankful heart and again in prayer commit yourself to God that you may not come home an angry person. Enjoy your work today for your security is in the Lord of the work!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
LIVING THE NEW LIFE IN THE HOME
By: Rev. Arnel Tan
You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly. You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t aggravate your children, if you do they will become discouraged……Col.3:18-21 NLT
While Christ is our real life and the source of our new life, the new life is not designed to be trapped in the personal stage. It is God’s desire and design that the new life be nourished as we expose ourselves to the church and community at large. It is in this context that the content of Paul’s instruction for the home is written. It is in relating with others that the new life finds its meaning and impact. After one’s conversion the individual is now a powerful instrument of God to bring chance and change.
It is in the home where our new life is much needed to take effect. Ideally the home is composed of a father, a mother and children. The ideal composition of the home is not a reason why a home who falls short of one member should be a happy home. Some homes no longer have dads or moms others have not been blessed with children. In grace and through the sovereignty of God homes that seems to be incomplete can still be recipient of joy and lots of laughter. On the other side by being complete in composition does not guarantee to end happy and vibrant.
Here we see the roles of each one to be in clear terms, yet it is not to be treated as rules per se. Rules and roles are offshoot of a deep relationship with Christ. Can a home be normal not dysfunctional without Christ? Honestly, yes it can still be a happy home but it’s a product of noble reasons not Christ. Living the new life in the home transcends ethics or culture, the new life lived in the home is about the life of Christ enabling a husband to love the wife and wife to respect the husband and kids to obey.
Who does not want a cool home? The difference here is that to have a happy home is not our main goal. While God desires for all of us to have a happy home the main goal remains to KNOW AND PLEASE CHRIST. The harsh reality of divorce and disfunctional home finds a fresh Chance and true Change in Christ. As members of the family become pleasers Christ they do the role not as a rule but outflow of Christ empowerment and unending yielding to Christ. The next time you think of a home think about Christ granting chance and change in His terms.
You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly. You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t aggravate your children, if you do they will become discouraged……Col.3:18-21 NLT
While Christ is our real life and the source of our new life, the new life is not designed to be trapped in the personal stage. It is God’s desire and design that the new life be nourished as we expose ourselves to the church and community at large. It is in this context that the content of Paul’s instruction for the home is written. It is in relating with others that the new life finds its meaning and impact. After one’s conversion the individual is now a powerful instrument of God to bring chance and change.
It is in the home where our new life is much needed to take effect. Ideally the home is composed of a father, a mother and children. The ideal composition of the home is not a reason why a home who falls short of one member should be a happy home. Some homes no longer have dads or moms others have not been blessed with children. In grace and through the sovereignty of God homes that seems to be incomplete can still be recipient of joy and lots of laughter. On the other side by being complete in composition does not guarantee to end happy and vibrant.
Here we see the roles of each one to be in clear terms, yet it is not to be treated as rules per se. Rules and roles are offshoot of a deep relationship with Christ. Can a home be normal not dysfunctional without Christ? Honestly, yes it can still be a happy home but it’s a product of noble reasons not Christ. Living the new life in the home transcends ethics or culture, the new life lived in the home is about the life of Christ enabling a husband to love the wife and wife to respect the husband and kids to obey.
Who does not want a cool home? The difference here is that to have a happy home is not our main goal. While God desires for all of us to have a happy home the main goal remains to KNOW AND PLEASE CHRIST. The harsh reality of divorce and disfunctional home finds a fresh Chance and true Change in Christ. As members of the family become pleasers Christ they do the role not as a rule but outflow of Christ empowerment and unending yielding to Christ. The next time you think of a home think about Christ granting chance and change in His terms.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Modeling A Christlike Attitude
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“Your attitude should be the same that Christ had.”
Phil. 2:5 NLT
It’s all in the attitude displayed more than the skills acquired. It’s the attitude oiled in grace that stands out in the midst of this performance driven existence society. It’s the one who has a secured identity in Christ that is supernaturally able to be humble amidst praise and supernaturally resilient in times of difficulties. It’s not just an attitude that we acquire culturally it’s the attitude that is in Jesus!
If Jesus is our life then we spontaneously though sometimes painfully grow into becoming a living model of Christ like attitude. Paul reminded us of the humility of Jesus. He is never a doormat or a weakling he is humble. Christ is not insecure He modeled confidence in God. He is not vindictive he is just! Most of all the perfect model of grace and truth! Lest we forget He is Lord!
In this dog eat dog and rat eat rat world we who follow the Master must somehow reflect the Master’s influence in our live. I’m not talking of being Christ like on camera or on the air waves, no it’s having the attitude of Christ in the most unnoticed detail of life. Bringing it into the routine of living like washing pots, steaming its powerful influence into the core of fallen humanity. In a nutshell to be Christ like and to model it is to be unselfish.
How to do this is solely dependent on the grace of God. Others have tried to be Christ like in the efforts of the flesh, and as a result they got more pressures instead of peace. Self effort attempts produce results that may be noble to the human eye yet this has not deceived God. Surely it will not produce inner fulfillment or peace. It builds on to the pressure that is already there. The self effort results to self confidence and then the inevitable virus of self righteousness shows it’s ugly head. Traveling this road ends into the pit of self destruction.
Modeling Christ likeness starts with brokenness and then breakthrough. We live lives of grace as a consequence of the daily influence of Christ in us. Here we learn not to be demanding and also not to be demeaning. Remember what Paul said let this ATTITUDE be in you as it is in Christ! May God etched in our hearts ATTITUDE! Not high sounding words, deep thoughts, smart ideas or academic excellence. It’s really in those unguarded and unspoken moments that we clearly see what our attitudes look like.
“Your attitude should be the same that Christ had.”
Phil. 2:5 NLT
It’s all in the attitude displayed more than the skills acquired. It’s the attitude oiled in grace that stands out in the midst of this performance driven existence society. It’s the one who has a secured identity in Christ that is supernaturally able to be humble amidst praise and supernaturally resilient in times of difficulties. It’s not just an attitude that we acquire culturally it’s the attitude that is in Jesus!
If Jesus is our life then we spontaneously though sometimes painfully grow into becoming a living model of Christ like attitude. Paul reminded us of the humility of Jesus. He is never a doormat or a weakling he is humble. Christ is not insecure He modeled confidence in God. He is not vindictive he is just! Most of all the perfect model of grace and truth! Lest we forget He is Lord!
In this dog eat dog and rat eat rat world we who follow the Master must somehow reflect the Master’s influence in our live. I’m not talking of being Christ like on camera or on the air waves, no it’s having the attitude of Christ in the most unnoticed detail of life. Bringing it into the routine of living like washing pots, steaming its powerful influence into the core of fallen humanity. In a nutshell to be Christ like and to model it is to be unselfish.
How to do this is solely dependent on the grace of God. Others have tried to be Christ like in the efforts of the flesh, and as a result they got more pressures instead of peace. Self effort attempts produce results that may be noble to the human eye yet this has not deceived God. Surely it will not produce inner fulfillment or peace. It builds on to the pressure that is already there. The self effort results to self confidence and then the inevitable virus of self righteousness shows it’s ugly head. Traveling this road ends into the pit of self destruction.
Modeling Christ likeness starts with brokenness and then breakthrough. We live lives of grace as a consequence of the daily influence of Christ in us. Here we learn not to be demanding and also not to be demeaning. Remember what Paul said let this ATTITUDE be in you as it is in Christ! May God etched in our hearts ATTITUDE! Not high sounding words, deep thoughts, smart ideas or academic excellence. It’s really in those unguarded and unspoken moments that we clearly see what our attitudes look like.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Christ Is Your Real Life!
Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“And when Christ , who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:4 NLT
Christ is your real life sounds a simple statement, look at it again and you will see a spiritual breakthrough. Christ granting new life is wonderful better yet Christ Himself is life! Isn’t that what John says about Christ being the way, the truth and the LIFE? In Him all your existence and mine finds color and meaning. The triumph and tragedies in this life and the glory beyond this life all depends in Christ. Without Christ nothing can stand a moment.
This new life and Christ being the real life is not automatically experience by any person born in earth. There’s got to be a turning point, a defining moment in life that God delivers a spiritual awakening in the depraved heart of man. And from there a spiritual choice is made responding to Christ by faith, bowing to His Lordship. Only then the new life is activated and Christ is personally experience as the source and the sustaining person of life. The other challenge is to make this simple truth “Christ Is your life” sink in to the hearts of those who already have this life.
Knowing Christ and entering into a spiritual relationship with Christ by faith has often been locked into the idea of going to heaven, being saved from the wrath of God. While this is true this is not complete. One can be on his way to glory without enjoying and being empowered by the life of Christ now. It is here that a believer learns to discover that there is more to just being saved from hell. It is here that Christ takes the preeminent role and rule in life. From the daily routine into the refreshing surprises of the day and onto the painful corners of life, Christ is the reason of everything.
The hunger to know Christ and the desire to do things in His strength and for His glory is no longer nebulous. It now clear that Christ is my all in all. He is not only first Christ is the center of life. Yes how wonderful to have a happy marriage and godly children, added to that good health and enough material wealth to enjoy life, and to have a good church and long list of good friends, what more can one ask for? Yet something is different when we view things in the lens of Christ our real life. Everything is simplified to having Christ is enough the rest are bonuses. Take away Christ those long lists of blessings looses its very purpose and essence. In the real sense of it Christ is enough!
“And when Christ , who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:4 NLT
Christ is your real life sounds a simple statement, look at it again and you will see a spiritual breakthrough. Christ granting new life is wonderful better yet Christ Himself is life! Isn’t that what John says about Christ being the way, the truth and the LIFE? In Him all your existence and mine finds color and meaning. The triumph and tragedies in this life and the glory beyond this life all depends in Christ. Without Christ nothing can stand a moment.
This new life and Christ being the real life is not automatically experience by any person born in earth. There’s got to be a turning point, a defining moment in life that God delivers a spiritual awakening in the depraved heart of man. And from there a spiritual choice is made responding to Christ by faith, bowing to His Lordship. Only then the new life is activated and Christ is personally experience as the source and the sustaining person of life. The other challenge is to make this simple truth “Christ Is your life” sink in to the hearts of those who already have this life.
Knowing Christ and entering into a spiritual relationship with Christ by faith has often been locked into the idea of going to heaven, being saved from the wrath of God. While this is true this is not complete. One can be on his way to glory without enjoying and being empowered by the life of Christ now. It is here that a believer learns to discover that there is more to just being saved from hell. It is here that Christ takes the preeminent role and rule in life. From the daily routine into the refreshing surprises of the day and onto the painful corners of life, Christ is the reason of everything.
The hunger to know Christ and the desire to do things in His strength and for His glory is no longer nebulous. It now clear that Christ is my all in all. He is not only first Christ is the center of life. Yes how wonderful to have a happy marriage and godly children, added to that good health and enough material wealth to enjoy life, and to have a good church and long list of good friends, what more can one ask for? Yet something is different when we view things in the lens of Christ our real life. Everything is simplified to having Christ is enough the rest are bonuses. Take away Christ those long lists of blessings looses its very purpose and essence. In the real sense of it Christ is enough!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
A Prayer for Justice
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? Psalm 94:3 NLT
Either as a victim or observer and who knows a perpetrator, injustice is a perpetual sight in this fallen world. As an observer pray that senses are not overwhelmed by numbness, as a victim pray that we can boldly express our cry to the Just One and as a potential source of injustice tremble when we trust our strength to maintain integrity. How scary not even to think that those who cry for justice today may be the tyrant of tomorrow? Prayer for justice is not only a plea for the victim but a reminder for the observer that without God’s grace we can take the role of the aggressors.
Praying for justice is releasing all our bitterness and frustrations to the throne of grace. Honestly when we choose to clam up even in our private prayers we are adding to the venom of hate that is already consuming us inside. Expressing, pouring it all our anger and bitterness to the Lord is an integral part of this prayer. Here we detoxify ourselves from the hate that we cannot handle. We release it to the Judge who is wise and who has the strong character and thickest skin of all that can absorb all these acids in us. Here we are allowed to question and vent our frustrations towards the denial or delay.
The book of Psalm actually models how God in grace allows His children to really cry to Him minus the polite protocol. As a victim cry to God all your pain, as an observer cry with those who are in pain, and as a potential aggressor cry to God for grace that He may spare us from situations and tendencies to inflict injustice to others. Prayer is a plea for help for the helpless. Frankly praying for justice includes that we may ask God to make us instrument of justice rather than abuse. As we cry or sympathized with those who are crying for justice, we include that God will grant us discernment and grace that we might not be an instrument wherein justice is denied or delayed.
Whether a victim or an observer let us remember what we are made of, we are made of clay that can easily be hardened by greed or that can easily melt in grace. As we draw close the Lord who is the just One we reflect His passion for justice and develop a deep hunger to be instrument of fairness. The prayer of the psalmist is a timely reminder of the many cycles and possibilities of life. Actually the gist of the prayer is that God will not give us in to govern by ourselves. Here God is acknowledged as the Just One His verdict are perfect and our tendency to be judge ourselves is arrested before vengeance control our reason and action. Lord have mercy. Amen.
“How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? Psalm 94:3 NLT
Either as a victim or observer and who knows a perpetrator, injustice is a perpetual sight in this fallen world. As an observer pray that senses are not overwhelmed by numbness, as a victim pray that we can boldly express our cry to the Just One and as a potential source of injustice tremble when we trust our strength to maintain integrity. How scary not even to think that those who cry for justice today may be the tyrant of tomorrow? Prayer for justice is not only a plea for the victim but a reminder for the observer that without God’s grace we can take the role of the aggressors.
Praying for justice is releasing all our bitterness and frustrations to the throne of grace. Honestly when we choose to clam up even in our private prayers we are adding to the venom of hate that is already consuming us inside. Expressing, pouring it all our anger and bitterness to the Lord is an integral part of this prayer. Here we detoxify ourselves from the hate that we cannot handle. We release it to the Judge who is wise and who has the strong character and thickest skin of all that can absorb all these acids in us. Here we are allowed to question and vent our frustrations towards the denial or delay.
The book of Psalm actually models how God in grace allows His children to really cry to Him minus the polite protocol. As a victim cry to God all your pain, as an observer cry with those who are in pain, and as a potential aggressor cry to God for grace that He may spare us from situations and tendencies to inflict injustice to others. Prayer is a plea for help for the helpless. Frankly praying for justice includes that we may ask God to make us instrument of justice rather than abuse. As we cry or sympathized with those who are crying for justice, we include that God will grant us discernment and grace that we might not be an instrument wherein justice is denied or delayed.
Whether a victim or an observer let us remember what we are made of, we are made of clay that can easily be hardened by greed or that can easily melt in grace. As we draw close the Lord who is the just One we reflect His passion for justice and develop a deep hunger to be instrument of fairness. The prayer of the psalmist is a timely reminder of the many cycles and possibilities of life. Actually the gist of the prayer is that God will not give us in to govern by ourselves. Here God is acknowledged as the Just One His verdict are perfect and our tendency to be judge ourselves is arrested before vengeance control our reason and action. Lord have mercy. Amen.
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