reconciliation | Daily Encouragement

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” (Proverbs 24:17-18, NIV)

The world maintains a “dance on the ashes of your enemy” approach to human relationships because it is too short-sighted to appreciate the long-term benefit of reconciliation.

As disciples of Jesus, we are His “ambassadors”; and as His ambassadors, we represent only His interests, not our own.

His interest, according to scripture, is not the condemnation of the world, but its salvation. (John 3:17) His purpose is not the perpetuation of the world’s estrangement from God, but its reconciliation to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

In all that you do, endeavor to illuminate the path to reconciliation. – Luther

Tagged reconciliation, the book of Proverbs

July 18

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“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, NIV)

Praying for our friends can be a difficult choice. (Particularly when they have rubbed us the wrong way — as friends are in an excellent position to do since they are close to us and know our crimes and inconsistencies.)

In Job’s case, his friends began well at the beginning of his afflictions: They came to Job and sat with him for a week, saying nothing, but being present just the same. Then, they began to give advice.

It was sincere advice, but it wasn’t intelligent advice. Their advice grieved Job.

At the end of Job’s ordeal, it was time for reconciliation. Job could have borne a grudge but, in obedience to God, Job prayed for his friends.

We can do our friends no greater service than to take what we know of their crises, burdens, fears, and joys to the Lord in prayer. We impede the work of God when we choose to gossip, pontificate, and prognosticate about the situations of our friends.

Pray for your friends, as only true friends can. – Luther