As of yesterday, at 3:57 in the afternoon, thirty Palestinians, including ten children, and three Israelis had been killed as rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip and Israeli airstrikes shook the ground and leveled buildings.
I believe God cried.
Hate is destroying us.
For those who say, it’s on the other side of the world and doesn’t concern us, they are wrong. What is going on in Israel and the Gaza Strip is symptomatic of what is happening everywhere.
Hate seems to be the currency of the day.
Here in our country, people are hated for the color of their skin, their political ideology, their religious convictions, their sexuality, their gender, or their appearance (tattoos, dyed hair, and clothing choices).
But when it is all said and done, these differences are negated by the fact that we all bleed red.
Just because we may disagree with someone doesn’t make them our enemy. It is a choice we make.
Jesus didn’t die for one group. Jesus died for all of us. Because of this, we do not have the luxury of hating anyone.
Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place if differences were worked out with love and respect instead of hatred and violence? But that would call for a spiritual maturity that many are missing.
It is up to those who follow Jesus to lead the way.
John said, “We love because God first loved us. Those who say, “I love God” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. After all, those who don’t love their brothers or sisters whom they have seen can hardly love God whom they have not seen! This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also.” (1 John 4:19-21)
In July 1967, the Beatles released a single written by John Lennon entitled “All You Need Is Love.” Almost fifty-four years later, the answer is still the same. Love is the way.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, let my life be a model of love. Fill me with peace, grace, and purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Choose today to demonstrate love in a loveless world. By doing so, we can make this a much better place for our children.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 