Trusting God, Loving Others
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 7:1-60 and Psalm 9:1-20 (NIV)
(Chan Chuu Ling, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Focusing on Acts 7:1-60, Psalm 9:7-10
OBSERVE:
In Acts 7, Stephen speaks of God’s plan through the ages and even in the face of extreme opposition and persecution, he trusted in God. In that trust was the love for his fellow men, even those who persecuted him, such that he could say in Acts 7:60, “ Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” when they stoned him.
As it says in Psalm 9:7-10, “The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” God is in control and can be trusted.
APPLY:
Most of us have been called to work in the marketplace, where we encounter all kinds of people.
I think about the times where I have to work with difficult people, people who I feel go out of their way to make my life difficult. This is a reminder that God has a plan and I can trust in Him.
Beyond that, my task on earth is not just to work but to work to bring glory to His name – I am to love those around me, regardless of how I am treated. It is a hard thing to do, I need God’s help…
DO:
I will pray for myself as well as colleagues who are difficult to work with. I also resolve to love them better by not participating in gossip regarding them. Instead, I will try encouraging others to see them in a compassionate light and in that way help each other in this area.
PRAY:
Thank You for being a faithful God, a God who has a plan and in whom I can trust as You are all-powerful and all-knowing. I pray I will turn to You in times of trials and bring glory to You. Please help me to be kind and loving to those around me, especially the difficult ones, because You were first kind and loving to me even though I am difficult too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
