JUNE 19, 2012
Judge Rightly
Read: Job 42:1-8
You have not spoken of Me what is right. —Job 42:7
After a national news magazine posted an online story listing my
community as one of the top-10 dying cities in the nation, local citizens
were outraged. They registered their indignation, pointing out evidence
to the contrary. One resident went to great lengths to disprove the
harsh judgment. He recruited local citizens to show up downtown and
appear in a video that showcased the vibrancy of our community. The
video received international attention, and the news magazine admitted
it was wrong. But the organization that had done the “research” stood
by the conclusion, even though it was based on limited criteria.
Their self-defense surprised me because their careless conclusion
seemed indefensible. But then I thought of how common it is to make
faulty judgments based on minimal information. One of the classic biblical
examples is that of Job’s friends. They wrongly concluded that because
a series of tragedies happened to him, Job had sinned.
In the end, God defended Job and offered a startling conclusion. He
didn’t rebuke his friends for judging Job but for speaking falsely about
Himself (Job 42:7). This is a humbling reminder that when we make
careless judgments about others, we are sinning against God.
Lord, please restrain my lips when I’m tempted to say
what I shouldn’t say about people made in
Your image. Use my words to bless and not harm.
May I reflect Your heart.
If you are a Christian, remember that people judge your Lord by you.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
