There is a special pain that comes from being hurt by people within God’s church. We expect pain and conflict in the world around us, but we hope for better things from fellow Christian believers. And so it hurts. It hurts when someone gossips about us, when someone spreads malicious lies, when we are ignored or left out or treated as anything less than a full brother or sister in Christ. It hurts so much that some people even leave because of the pain—leave that congregation, or (God forbid!) leave the Christian faith altogether.
God is not asleep. He is fully aware of our pain when these evil things happen. And He will put an end to it, as He has promised: “I will feed them in justice. As for you, My flock,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep … Must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?” God will not put up with this behavior in His church forever. Judgment is coming.
But more than that, comfort is coming. For God has also promised us that Jesus will be our Shepherd. He will watch over us, provide for us, and keep an eye on what is going on in the flock. He will not allow injustice to stand forever. How could He? He is the One who destroyed the power of evil on the cross, even as it cost Him His own life. He won that victory when He rose from the dead. And He will certainly cleanse His church both now and on that final day when He returns to bring us all into the new heavens and new earth.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, when evil happens in the church, please put a stop to it and help us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
* When have you been hurt at church? Was the situation resolved, or does it still hurt?
* Are you aware of any times you have hurt others? How could you heal those situations?
* Do you know anyone hurting right now who could use your care? What could you do?