For God to Judge, not me.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14


Over the last couple of days, I have written about hurt and disappointment at the hands of another. I have been preoccupied with the bitterness, anger and emotional pain that have consumed me and my struggle to find peace. During this time, I realized that I was allowing someone else to determine my outlook, my attitude, and ultimately to steal my joy. I was taking on the responsibility of God, by judging this person and deciding for myself what punishment they deserved. I was angry. I felt mistreated. I felt as though this person thought they got away with their actions because I had decided it best not to call them on it personally in an attempt to avoid further conflict and long term hurt.

But then a very wise man, my husband (don't tell him I said that), reminded me of these words in Ecclesiastes. One of God's promises and a reminder that it is His job not mine to judge. God will bring every deed into judgment. He will reveal all that is hidden, because you see, nothing is hidden from Him. He knows it all, good or bad, and He will deal with it. It is not up to me to judge. Why should I?

I was also reminded in church yesterday that none of us would want a video replay of our lives up on a big screen for all to see. In my life I have hurt someone, and I'm not proud of it. I am sure I have made wrong decisions that adversely affected another even if unintentional. And, I am certain that when judgment day comes, God will hold me accountable for the things I have done for good, as well as the things I have done wrong. We are all human, we all make mistakes and we all will face Jesus someday. The best I can hope for, is that from the time I made the decision to repent and accept Him as my savior that I have tried to live the life He wants me to. That each day I strive to grow closer to Him and be more like Him. I have failed miserably at times. The mere fact that I recognize that, try to improve on that and keep trying to move forward with Him as my guide is testimony to His power and influence in my life. As for those who have not yet accepted Him or have drifted away for a time, I will continue to pray for them. I will pray they find the same hope, the same love, the same grace and mercy I have. I pray they find Jesus!