Jude 9 (ESV) — 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the
devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a
blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
NOTE: Michael knew
Lucifer as an archangel. Michael did not follow Lucifer when he led one-third
of the angels in a revolt. Michael had every reason to be angry with Lucifer.
Michael had the stronger force on his right. Michael was in the right. And yet Michael's
words and reaction toward Lucifer are restrained and respectful, "The Lord
rebuke you." We would have taken the opportunity to blast Lucifer and make
him know who is really boss. But that is not the way the children of God are to
act. God is the judge, not us. God can stand up for himself. Our job is to
calmly and respectfully tell the truth, the word of God. How people deal with
the word is an issue between them and God, provided we are not living in such a
way to give them pause. We are to live upright and holy lives. We are to be
prepared to give a gentle and respectful answer to anyone who questions our
faith. Michael did the right thing. We need to learn from his example.
PRAYER: Father,
believers today seem so uptight and angry. Give us love toward one another and
also love toward those outside the kingdom. Our future is assured. We don't
have to be angry. Yes, like other saints of the OT, our hearts can be moved by
the painful mess the world is rushing into, but we don't have to be angry
toward others. Change us, change me to be more like Jesus in his response to
his accusers at the cross.
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