Isaiah 53:7
"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet tHe opened not His mouth; tHe was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth."

What grace it requires when we are misunderstood yet handle it correctly, or when we are judged unkindly yet receive it in holy sweetness! Nothing tests our character as a Christian more than having something evil said about us. This kind of grinding test is what exposes whether we are solid gold or simply gold-plated metal. If we could only see the blessings that lie hidden in our trials, we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, "Let him curse...It may be that the LORD will...repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today" (2 Sam 6:11-12)

Some Christians are easily turned away from the greatness of their life's calling by pursing instead their own grievances and enemies. They ultimately turn their lives into one petty whirlwind of warfare. It reminds me of trying to deal with a hornet's nest. You may be able to disperse the hornets, but you will probably be terribly stung and receive nothing for your pain, for even their honey has no value.

May God grant us more of the Spirit of Christ, who, "when they hurled insults at him..did not retaliate..Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb 12:3) A.B. Simpson

For you He walked along the path of woe,
He was sharpy struck with His head bent low.
He knew the deepest sorrow, pain and grief,
He knew long endurance with no relief,
He took all the bitter from death's deep cup,
He kept no blood drops but gave them all up.
Yes, for you, and for me, He won the fight
To take us to glory and realms of light.

My prayer: Lord, help me in the midst of criticism and judgement from others, be like Christ, who did not open His mouth, like David, who saw the power of walking through the valleys. Ultimately, our security is in You.

lots of love, lil' miss geek :).