I like this extract from today’s set verses, Job 10:9-16 (New Living Translation): “Remember that you made me from dust – will you turn me back to dust so soon? You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.
“‘Yet your real motive – your true intent – was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery. And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion and display your awesome power against me. … “
This view, presents an interesting aspect of shame – as the verse in bold suggests that even if innocent – it’s the perception of others – that we are guilty – it’s the loss of our social position in the eyes of others which appears to drive this particular facet of shame.
Selwyn writes: “Another characteristic of shame is a desire to hurt either the self or the one who may have caused, or even witnessed, the matter that brought about the feeling of shame. …
Violence, it has been said, ‘ is a blood offering to the dark demons of shame … it lashes out to destroy either the self or blind the observer’. And nothing is more violent than suicide.”
Too often we read in the newspapers or see on TV news, the suicide of a young person who had their reputation, with their peers, damaged by an inappropriate comment. A comment, usually made these days on a social interaction, Internet site – consequently; the comment is public – anyone, could read it. The person, I guess, believes; ’Because everyone now thinks the very worst of me – I don’t want to go on living (with such a terrible label pinned to me)’.
Perhaps, it’s partly due to the fact that some people measure their value according to the perception of their friends. The truth is, our value has been established by Jesus – He paid a ransom to save us from death. His very life was given up, to save us. In His eyes we are priceless – it’s this truth that we should constantly reflect upon – the penalty for all our sins has been paid, in full. Sin, often will cause us some temporary grief and shame until we turn to Jesus and seek His forgiveness then we should praise God – in recognition of what He has done (and continues to do) for us. Suicide (except in cases of mental illness) basically displays a lack of knowledge or trust in God’s love. Do you agree?
Violence – a blood offering
I like this extract from today’s set verses, Job 10:9-16 (New Living Translation): “Remember that you made me from dust – will you turn me back to dust so soon? You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.
“‘Yet your real motive – your true intent – was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery. And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion and display your awesome power against me. … “
This view, presents an interesting aspect of shame – as the verse in bold suggests that even if innocent – it’s the perception of others – that we are guilty – it’s the loss of our social position in the eyes of others which appears to drive this particular facet of shame.
Selwyn writes: “Another characteristic of shame is a desire to hurt either the self or the one who may have caused, or even witnessed, the matter that brought about the feeling of shame. …
Violence, it has been said, ‘ is a blood offering to the dark demons of shame … it lashes out to destroy either the self or blind the observer’. And nothing is more violent than suicide.”
Too often we read in the newspapers or see on TV news, the suicide of a young person who had their reputation, with their peers, damaged by an inappropriate comment. A comment, usually made these days on a social interaction, Internet site – consequently; the comment is public – anyone, could read it. The person, I guess, believes; ’Because everyone now thinks the very worst of me – I don’t want to go on living (with such a terrible label pinned to me)’.
Perhaps, it’s partly due to the fact that some people measure their value according to the perception of their friends. The truth is, our value has been established by Jesus – He paid a ransom to save us from death. His very life was given up, to save us. In His eyes we are priceless – it’s this truth that we should constantly reflect upon – the penalty for all our sins has been paid, in full. Sin, often will cause us some temporary grief and shame until we turn to Jesus and seek His forgiveness then we should praise God – in recognition of what He has done (and continues to do) for us. Suicide (except in cases of mental illness) basically displays a lack of knowledge or trust in God’s love. Do you agree?