[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Wednesday September 21, 2005

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Wednesday September 21, 2005

This week's devotions are written by Pastor Ludwig and are based upon well
known Biblical "one-liners."

 

Matthew 16: 22-23

And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord!  This
shall never happen to you."  But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind
me, Satan! You are a  hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God,
but of men."  

 

One of the favorite one liners on campus during my first year at a Lutheran
college was, "Get behind me Satan."  It seemed a cute response to a roommate
who wanted to go to a movie while you were trying to do homework.  Jesus'
one liner however is not a cute response to the words of Peter. He knows all
too well that the advice of good friends may be more "good intention" than
good advice.  Peter intended good for Jesus but what he was advocating was a
cop out from the truth for which Jesus was born.

I remember the spouse of an abusive alcoholic defending her husband as a
good and loving man while covering up his alcoholism which continued a cycle
of unemployment and family neglect. Her intention was on the surface quite
good, but hiding from the reality of addiction was destructive.

What difficult confrontation are you hiding from?  Like Jesus, speak the
words, "Get behind me Satan" and with the confidence that comes from knowing
God will be with you, confront the person or situation with love but with
truth!

 

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