Be Exalted

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Be Exalted

There is a great temptation  to “clam up” and say nothing  when a person’s faith  is challenged.     If one is in a college science class  where evolution is being taught,  those students who speak up  for God as our Creator  are very likely going  to be demeaned  by the professor  in front of the whole class — and be given a lower grade,  which might jeopardize their opportunities  for a scholarship.     Those students  who fear the professor’s opinion  just give the “answers” he is expecting them  to give.

In some college writing classes  where one is required  to list references  for one’s opinion,  it is totally permissible  for the writer  to use references pertaining to witchcraft,  atheism,  and other world religions — but,  one is not allowed  to use the Bible as a reference  for any opinion  nor the work  of any famous Christian theologian.    (I say this from personal experience.)     There again,  in fear of the professor,  most students do not refer  to anything  in their Christian faith.

If one is on a job  where homosexuals also work,  one is expected  to say nothing contrary  to homosexuality,  even when directly asked  or when harassed  because they know  you are a Christian.     The slightest hint  of being politically incorrect  will cost one’s job.     In other words,  they are allowed  to discriminate against Christian principles,  but a Christian  is not allowed  to say anything  that can be construed as discriminatory.

When some Christians have a non-Christian friend,  who is highly opinionated  and expresses their opinion  with defiance,  that Christian might tend  to just avoid  all sensitive subjects  in an effort  to get along.     People can even have a fear  of their “friend”.

When Christians are pro-life  and take a stand for life,  they are amazed  at the vehement lashing out  of hateful words  from those who are pro-abortion.      There is no effort  from the pro-abortionists  to listen.     So,  Christians often don’t mention this topic  when they know  they are in the presence  of a pro-abortionist.     There is a fear  of man’s opinion.

Many such examples could be given,  where there is fear  of another person’s reaction.     But,  the Bible has something  to say about this age-old problem.     Proverbs 29:25 says,

The fear  of man  brings a snare,    
But he who trusts  in the LORD  will be exalted.

Fearing mankind’s worldly opinion  will eventually bring a snare — big time trouble.     It’s saying  if we don’t stand up  for what is right  from the very beginning,  we’re going  to get trapped  by our fear.     We don’t know just what that trap will be  ( It depends on the situation. ), but being trapped  is not a good thing.

How can we keep  from being trapped  in a snare?     We are to “trust  in the LORD”.     We are to trust the LORD  in each and every situation  while doing what is right and good  in God’s eyes.     We trust  in the LORD  because we have a much greater respect and reverence  for Him  than we do for the opinion  of a mere man,  whose life is short.

We trust in the LORD  because He is obviously  much more powerful  than any man ever dreamt of being.     We trust  in the LORD  because He has proven His love for us  in Jesus Christ.     We trust  in the LORD  because He alone  holds our whole future  in His hands.

God promises  that everyone who trusts  in Him “will be exalted” .      That exaltation may not be obvious  until we reach heaven,  as in the case  of many martyrs  over the years,  but it will be worth  so much more  than any earthly thing  we can imagine.     We need  to weigh the eternal values  between cowering before a man’s opinion  and standing high  for God’s ways.

Let us stand high  for our Lord  because we will then “be exalted”,  and His love  is worth it.     Trusting in our LORD,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord, Your ways  are good and right — and eternal.     And,  your love  in Jesus Christ  strengthens me  to live for You.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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