Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

This is a truth I have observed over the years, and it can be very ironic. For those who are committed to God, His ways are indeed a stronghold, providing inner peace and security whatever the world is doing. However, to those who are committed to doing their own thing, ignoring God and His rules, His ways mess with all their plans. If the rebellious person repents and turns to God, then his plans are still destroyed, but in their place he receives God’s good plans, which are far better than whatever he had imagined. We see that around us all the time. Those who are opposed to God kick and scream at every effort to turn society toward genuine righteousness, correctly seeing that such change would foil their personal plans. For those who seek God, it can be downright incredible at times. “How can they oppose this?” Such conflict is at times simply a matter of opinion, but it is more and more obviously a matter of the spiritual forces behind each side. That said, those on the side of righteousness must remember that their real enemy is never the people they see with their eyes, and so pray for repentance and restoration, even for those who are actively persecuting them. (Matthew 5:44)

This is something I’ve become increasingly aware of over the years. Some would say I’m becoming “intolerant,” but God’s truth is indeed absolute. I must be humble, knowing above all that I don’t know everything, but I must not descend into moral relativism. As I was driving round blessing the churches of Omura this morning I was thinking about how strongly I disagree with some of them on some points of theology, for example, but they are still my brothers and sisters in Christ. That said, there’s a world of difference between someone who’s theologically misguided or confused and someone who maintains a façade of religion to hide their rebellion against God. I’m to pray for them all, that God’s Spirit of Truth would convict and correct as called for – and that He would do so for me as well. I have always agreed completely with C. S. Lewis’ observation that when we get to heaven, we’ll all discover we were wrong somewhere. As James said, I’m to submit myself fully to God and resist the devil, (James 4:7) for God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Yesterday I was reminded several times of my own foolishness, and I wasn’t in a very good mood by the time I went to bed. Help me release everything to You and flow with Your Spirit throughout today, so that I may be Your instrument of blessing to all around me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!