Somebody Better Do Something

In I Samuel 14:1-23 Jonathan, son of king Saul, decides that he is tired of the Philistines beating up on the Israelites, and that he is going to do something about it.  The story reveals how Jonathan’s armor bearer was right with him in support.  Subsequently, because the Lord was with them, they defeated the Philistines.

On Sunday, our pastor challenged us to do something that we are fearful of for the sake of Christ.  I prayed that God would show me if there is something that I need to do for Him.

So far the scariest thing I have done this week is to attempt to show my granddaughters my favorite movie, “Children On Their Birthdays.”  The movie is set in Alabama, in 1947, just after WW II. The reason I like this movie is because the protagonist decides that something must be done for the sake of Christ. 

Here is how it happens—a bully was stopping a young black girl from taking a book and a basket of berries back to her home.  The protagonist steps in and informs the boy that gentlemen are on earth to defend ladies.  The young girl runs off but our hero chases after her to at least give her the book back.  She defends the girl to her father telling him why she lost the berries.

Then later on she brings her new friend to sit with the white people in church when all the black people are sitting in the balcony.

Now to the next frightening thing—my 10-year-old granddaughter challenged me on one theme of the movie.  The protagonist informs the boys that they must do something nice for the person they hurt as restitution for their bad deeds.  This is a Catholic or Islamic teaching.  We can never do enough good to pay for the evil we have done.  That is why Jesus had to die-- to pay for our sins.   

I did find this verse – Proverbs 21:14  “A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.” 

So sometimes we should do something to smooth over an offense.

I cheer on those who will stand up for the oppressed or do a kind deed for someone.  I pray that I will do the same.

P.S.  Well, today I did something scary for me.  I sent an e-mail to my congressman.  Here is what I said:

The Bible is the Word of God.  It is good for instructing us in the way God wants us to go.  God has even written on our hearts what is right and wrong.  So we know in our hearts that God says anyone who has homosexual sex and anyone who approves of such a thing deserves death.    Support Christians who are trying to save the lost by telling the truth in love. We weep for those who will be condemned by God if they don't repent.