“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, And to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his mercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders, And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”
Psalm 147:7-14 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.147.7-14.KJV
A Look in the Mirror
As humans, our default setting isn't exactly selflessness. We often judge ourselves by our intentions, but judge others by their actions. We can be quick to accuse without first looking in the mirror.
But Jesus calls us to live differently:
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 NLT
Often referred to as the “golden rule,” it’s a brilliant litmus test for discerning how to respond to people in the face of hardship, uncertainty, and pain.
Here are some ways we can apply this verse to our daily lives:
WHEN SOMEONE HURTS YOU...
Think: Have you ever hurt someone, either accidentally or intentionally? And when the mistake was made or realized, did you want to be screamed at and given a harsh consequence, or did you long for grace and a second chance?
To the extent that we forgive, we are forgiven. So what if, today, we give others the same grace, compassion, and mercy that ...