He was oppressed, and he was
afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not
open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have
imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken
for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his
tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit
in his mouth.
How do we react to hostile criticism?
If it causes us to strike back angrily at our critics, we need to read the
Bible closer and remember what Jesus went through for us.
When our Savior was insulted, He did
not reply with an insult. When He was falsely denounced, He remained silent.
Do you have an inner peace even when
you are being criticized? As you ask the Holy Spirit for His help, you can
respond in a Christ-like way to false accusations or gossip.
The worst criticism
of you can bring out the best in you.
Our Daily
Bread – August 22, 2007