The Weekly Encourager Extra - April 14, 2010 - Resolution and Repetition

God is good. I want to tell how He answered prayer in the two situations mentioned in the previous entry [April 9, 2010].

First, my friend wrote the following about the problem with the lady in her church: "We had a really good heart to heart talk yesterday, and everything has been restored. How beautiful is the Lord when two Christians truly seek to resolve hurts and issues in the Way He commands. His way is truly good."

Yesterday I met with the business contact who had treated me so poorly, and it was like night and day. Her heart seemed softened to accept my explanation of events. She spoke calmly and pleasantly. I left feeling that now we could accomplish our mutual goals successfully. Thanks be to God! (It should be added that my husband was a big help in giving me perspective and helping me plan what to say to the other person.)

I believe that when God repeats something, there's a reason. After these verses about assuming the best and speaking the best came up in my personal reading [see previous post], a parallel passage was the basis of our Evening Service the following Sunday! Pastor Paul Wolfe gave a message about I Peter 3:8-17. "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love....do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called...let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it...." Also, with our words we must be ready to defend the gospel of Christ, but "do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame."

We are to be beacons of love, especially love for those within the body of Christ, for the world is watching. We are not to be troubled if persecuted, for we fear God, not men. If someone asks, why do we have hope? The answer is Christ. In humility we depend upon Christ alone to save us.

Apparently I had not received enough instruction on this topic, because my friend Susan G. read another parallel Scripture to me on Monday morning! Psalm 31:18-24 says, "Let the lying lips be dumb" for the Lord will hide those who fear Him and take refuge in Him "in the secret place of Thy presence....Thou dost keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues." Isn't that a great phrase - "the strife of tongues?" Read the full passage to gain insight into different forms of speech. How wonderful that God promises goodness, protection, lovingkindness, a listening ear, and preservation to His godly ones! It's such an encouraging psalm, especially for anyone who has been unjustly accused.

The summary is full of precious gold: "O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24

God is faithful,