Even Though

Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; 1 Kings 15:4 (NKJV)

King Abijam was king over Judah and did evil in the sight of the Lord, yet God allowed him to reign for three years because of the promise He made to David. Because David followed God wholeheartedly, there would always be one of his descendants on the throne. There was also the promise that God made to the world. Through David's line, the Messiah, Jesus Christ would come and bring salvation to the world. God knew that even though Abijam was evil, good would come from him. His son Asa was a righteous man, and as king, restored true worship to the Lord in Judah.

How many times have you judged someone for what they have done or where they live? You may look at homeless people and think they are all addicts. We do not know their situation and why they are there. We don't know their mental state, their socioeconomic condition, or the circumstances that brought them to the street. Maybe God brought them there to make a real change. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." I don't normally use examples, but one of my heroes is my wife, Heather. She was homeless and lost everything in her life, but that is where God restored her. She gave her heart wholly to Him and was prosperous in everything she did after that. She started the first couple's recovery house in the Portland area, she started a Celebrate recovery, and God has put it in her heart to one day start a center for the homeless. Even though she had made poor choices that led to the streets, God was able to redeem her for good.

Choose to see people as God sees them. God sees the potential in all people, so choose to see as God does. Choose to feed the homeless and share the word of God with them. Maybe God is using you to change someone's life for the better. Choose to love like God loves. Your love may bring hope to a hopeless person. Join a Celebrate Recovery and listen to someone's testimony. We all have hurts, habits, and hangups and when we listen, we realize that even though we may have it better, we are no different than anyone else. We all have sinned and need Jesus in our lives.