Daily Bread Devotional For Today 13 May 2023
Daily Bread Devotional For Today 13 May 2023Daily Bread Devotional for Today 13 May 2023 Saturday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Patience Toward Others
SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 5:38-45
KEY VERSE: “I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” — Matthew 5:39
Daily Bread Devotional For Today 13 May 2023 MESSAGE: Few teachings of Jesus are more difficult to follow than this instruction to turn the other cheek. When we are wronged, it is natural to want to get even. Yet God calls us to turn the other cheek. Is this a call for us to simply let ourselves be bullied? To never stand up for ourselves? No, it runs far deeper than that.
When we are wronged, it helps to remember that no wrong will go unpunished. Every sin that is committed will be paid for. “It is mine to avenge,” says the Lord, “I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35; see Romans 12:17-21). This is a great comfort to believers who are being wronged! Every wrong against us will be punished.
The good news of Jesus is that if the wrong that was committed is repented of, and the wrongdoer asks for forgiveness, the wrong is paid for by Christ on the cross. Jesus came into this world in order to take on the punishment for all human sin, so that all who look to him can be saved.
When a wrong is committed against us, we might think, “Well, I want the one who hurt me to be punished. I want them punished, not Christ.” But we need to remember that we too have wronged many others and that Christ took on our punishment, paying for our guilt as well.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Forgiving God, guide us to be patient with others, especially when we are wronged, so that Christ may be made visible in us. Help us, Holy Spirit, to show your patience in all times and circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — George Koopmans
George Koopmans has served as an ecumenical chaplain at Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta, since November 2021. Prior to entering into chaplaincy, George served as a pastor to two congregations—one in Minnesota (Luverne), and the other in Medicine Hat. George and his wife, Emily, have four adult daughters and three grandchildren. Hiking, biking, and birdwatching are his favorite hobbies.
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY