Devotional - July 31, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 4:11  I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Not a Scripture one would think worthy of a devotional...  Paul is exasperated by his efforts concerning the Galatian church.  They hear what he says, but they do not listen.  Instead, they run off after the next best thing.  The question I have for Paul is, had he known his words would continue to be read over a thousands of years later, would he have said what he said.  If you read on in this chapter it gets more graphic.  We used to have a saying, will this still matter five years from now?  It was a way of keeping things in perspective.  Being exasperated in our efforts with others happens a lot.  Your response is what matters. What you do you may never see the end of, good or bad.  Telling people they are a waste of time, or even worse, is never the right way of dealing with it.  The texts in the Bible warning us about our anger, and what we say, are literally found from cover to cover.  Why don't we listen?  Maybe we have gotten away with our actions so far, be careful.  Or, maybe you were the one on the receiving end.  I find it sad that often people who say these kinds of things, at one time, received them.  There is still no excuse, especially since you know what it does.  Our Lord makes clear His position on such behavior (Matthew 5:21-24).  It is interesting, the letter to the Galatians is the fourth letter Paul wrote to the churches.  Well, it is the fourth one we have recovered, Paul wrote more letters than what we have in our Bible.  His tone and rhetoric change in future letters, because he learns (grows) and he changes.  I am sure Paul, like us, would cringe at some of the things he said or did in anger.  Could we imagine God speaking or treating us in like manner...  My guess is, Paul would have liked the chance to edit some of his letters before he wrote them, but at least he edited himself in future endeavors.  What do we think motivates such behaviours in us and what do we think they will accomplish?  Yes, there are times we need to communicate with others clearly while maintaining our boundaries.  But before we do so, if there is time, let's try to do so in a good way.  It's hard to do, but worth the effort.  

Pray with me ..,  Holy God sometimes we get so frustrated with others.  We want to lash out even when we know it is not the way.  Help us to be wise and understanding in our actions.  Let Your Spirit lead ours.  Lord, hear us as we pray for our loved ones.  We ask Your blessing upon them and upon our church, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.   

God's peace,

Pastor Brian