In the Face of Accusation

When Potiphar’s wife rose up against righteous Joseph and charged him with ungodly behvaior, Joe was patient for two years in the face of accusation. (Genesis 39) When King Saul rose up against David, blaming him for all matter of crimes, David kept praying in the face of that accusation. (Psalm 35, 35:11, 35:20) When Herod and the Pharisees rose up against Jesus indicting him as evil, Jesus remained humble in the face of those accusations. (Luke 23:1-12) To you and to me, in the face of accusation, Jesus might well say: “be joyful!” “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:11) Accusations are persecution, and they can actually benefit us. So, if you act Christ-like and people are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are blessed, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Be blessed anyway. If you are honest and candid, people may cheat and take advantage of you; Be honest and candid anyway. What you spend years building, your reputation, your character, your life, someone could come and try to destroy it; Build anyway. If you find peace and contentment in Jesus, some will be jealous; Be happy and at peace anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, Jesus, and to them it may never be enough; Give the world Jesus anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and the Lord. It never was between you and them anyway. So, be patient, keep praying, remain humble, and express the joy you have in the Lord! How great is our hope and even our trial when we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) — Pastor Terry