Forgive My Judgments
Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving kindness and truth go before You. Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. 1 John 4:20-21 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. RESOURCE (shout out to Sandee Petway for sending this) Watch and listen to this video clip of James Baldwin speaking at Cambridge University in 1965. LET US PRAY: God, forgive me for my judgments held. For the ways I view others through a lens of assumption, malign, and distrust. Forgive me for not treating others as a person and for not being considerate nor mindful of their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. Forgive me for my blindness and unconcern of others’ struggles. Forgive me for failing to give voice to the oppressed and to the inequalities of our society. Help me to see as you do and to be open to serve the advancement of righteousness and justice, the foundations of your throne. In Jesus name, Amen. After reading today’s scriptures and prayer, and watching today’s resource, reflect…
Baldwin says, “I am not a ward of America. I am not an object of missionary charity. I am one of the people who built the country.” Why do we often see others as a project more than a person? Have you?
Think about people who are different than you (color, politics, religion, country, etc.) What stereotypes do you have about them? That they’re inferior? Stupid? Mean? Corrupt? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and show you wrong impressions, images, and judgments you’ve consciously or unconsciously held. Ask God to help you see and think about others as He does.
Why do you think blacks have had a longer and harder time of advancing in positions of many different societal sectors?
What questions does this devotion bring up for you?
Be sure to journal your thoughts. We will have a collective discussion at the end of this 2-week series. If you come across an article or a video link or a prayer that is relevant to this discussion about loving our neighbors, feel free to submit it to me. Thank you!