I implore you Sarah Beth… “You must trust the Lord!”

I implore you… “You must trust the Lord!” 

 

Dear Sarah Beth,

 

(2 Tim 2:22 KJV)  “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  “You must trust the Lord!”

After our phone conversations, Mom and I talked.  She expressed mutual assent with you that I was quite forceful and maybe I could have listened a little more carefully, and spoken a lot less.  Sorry. 

But, please listen to me, “Little Honey”, I believe you!  But, “You must trust the Lord!”  I must not judge you or him.  I must not resort to human carnality.

Every evil word, evil thought and evil deed done badly to you was evil.  I did not intend to deny that evil was done to you; neither do I make any judgments against you, nor did I intend to defend this one, whom I myself do not know.  Please rest assured; you do have every sympathy from me, at the depth of my core, and at the foundation of my being. 

But, “You and I must trust the Lord!”  You may rest assured I too, wrestle with how to defend you, by way of flesh or faith.  What I meant was this, when you talk to the Pastor, of this three-thousand-people Church, it cannot sound to him that you are attaching his team member, because he may by recourse defend his team member, his own job security and the Church’s reputation.  You could then find yourself in an immense difficulty.  He has a very large responsibility.  “You must trust the Lord!”  This issue has profound potential for phenomenal, even explosive damage, which could endanger his church, beyond comprehension.  We do not want that!  “You must trust the Lord!”  The Lord will vindicate you!

What I meant to convey on the phone, was this, “You must trust the Lord!” (Exodus 14:13 KJV)  “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day…”  “You must trust the Lord!”  That does not negate the truth.  That does not alter the truth. What was thought and articulated, what was considered and performed, what feelings were felt and expressed were very real, and as you said, “very wrong”.  Psalm 89:18 For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our King.  “You must trust the Lord!” 

I do not defend a stranger who attacks my “Little Darling”.  NO, No, no!  I defend you with my whole effort, worth and being.  “You must trust the Lord!”  Sarah Beth, I know you!  I know your nature, your spirit, your character and I therefore know with confidence that you have been and are the victim.  Harassment is not acceptable behavior, at work or elsewhere.  Bad behavior is indefensible.  “You must trust the Lord!”   Your defense is not an attack.  The truth will prevail.  Trust God.  Walk with confidence.  Pray!  “You must trust the Lord!”   Even if as accused, you had feelings, had thoughts, and had words, I am still assuming you were the fifteen year-younger innocent victim, still, if not then repent of it all and forgive him, yourself… learn and grow… because of your understanding and age and because
I implore you… “You must trust the Lord!”                                                               

I know you so very well; I believe you were an innocent victim.  But because you know the truth, confess that truth… right or wrong… the whole truth… to God and…  “You must trust the Lord!”  “God’s Holy Spirit will convict of sin and of righteousness and of the soon coming judgment.”  As Christians we want reparation, reconciliation, forgiveness and healing.  I even believe that you were of naiveté.  Nevertheless, Sarah Beth, SIN IS SIN, Yours, his, mine or anyone else’s.  Sin does not be sin for one and not for the other.  Sin is nasty, deceitful, sweet as honey in the mouth, and bitter as wormwood in the stomach.  One second after, one wishes for the one second before.  SIN IS SIN! 

“You must trust the Lord!” Yield not to temptation.  (Mat 6:13 NLT)  “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”  (Luke 11:4) And forgive us our sins– just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

Ryrie Study Bible Commentary on Matthew 6:13 says:  This is a request for the intervention of God in life’s moments of tests, trials and temptations in such a manner that the “way of escape” is made clear (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13). The petition gives full recognition to the incredible deception and power of tests, trials and temptations and affirms that deliverance from the grasp of evil can come only from the Lord.  1 Corinthians 10:13 But, remember that the tests, trials and temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the tests, trials and temptations from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tested, tried and tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. He will make a way of escape. Literally, the way out does not necessarily mean relief from tests, trials and temptations, but power to be able to bear the testing, trialing, and tempt.

(Luke 11:4 NLT)  “And forgive us our sins– just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to tests, trials and temptations.”"  (2 Tim 2:22 KJV)  “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  “You must trust the Lord!”             

En Agape, LDad

 

I implore you… “You must trust the Lord!”  

By Lester Duaine Allen  

© Copyrighted Tuesday September 16, 2003 York PA