A WISE ACT

A2J - Stories

A wise old man retired and purchased a modest home near a junior high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and contentment. Then a new school year began. The very next afternoon three young boys, full of enthusiasm, came down his street, beating merrily on every trash can they encountered. The crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally the wise old man decided it was time to take some action. 

The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young students, as they banged their way down the street. Stopping them, he said, “You kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your exuberance like that. I too used to do the same thing when I was your age. Well, I’ll give you each a dollar if you’ll promise to come around every day and do this thing.” The boys were elated and continued to do a bang-up job on the trash cans. 

After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this time he had a sad smile on his face. “The expenses are really putting a big dent in my income,” he told them. “From now on, I’ll be only be able to pay you fifty cents to beat on the cans.” The noise makers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his offer and continued their afternoon exercise. 

A few days later, the old man approached them again as they came down the street. “Look”, he said, “I have not received my pension this month, so I will not be able to give you more than twenty-five cents. Will that be okay?” “A quarter of a dollar?”, the drum leader exclaimed. “If you think we are going to waste our time beating these cans around for this money, we cannot do it, we will quit.” And the old man enjoyed peace and serenity for the rest of his days.

Dear friends, when our enemies rise up against us, we need God’s wisdom to tackle them amicably. If we argue or quarrel with them we may end up in worsening the matter. So let us take the matter to God in prayer and ask His wisdom. When David was confronted by the Philistines, Amalekites and Ammonites, he did not act in haste, but sought the Lord’s counsel and never did the Lord forsake him, His trusting servant.

“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress.” (Isaiah 25.4)

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, give me your wisdom to deal with people who act rudely and cunningly against me. If I fight with them with my strength or my intelligence I may fail . I come to you Lord. You will not allow evil to prosper. Guide me and grant me victory. Amen.

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