The Encourager
“When Cooperation Means Compromise - Jeff Curtis”
When Cooperation Means Compromise
By Jeff Curtis
According to Ezra 4:1-4, the people of the land offered to help the Jews rebuild the temple; “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria.” The leaders of the Jews replied, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God.” In other words, they said, “No thanks!”
Why would the Jewish leaders so summarily dismiss what appeared to be a neighborly gesture from fellow believers? Several answers are possible, but the main reason undoubtedly was that they believed cooperation with their “enemies” (4:1) would result in compromising their faith.
Associating with these polytheists could lead them into idolatry, into worshiping their gods. Therefore, “no” was the only proper answer.
Sometimes today, as well, Christians must make choices that seem to be unfriendly. If people who share some of their beliefs, but who also teach false doctrines, seek to cooperate with them, sometimes they must say, “No.” The problem is that cooperation can lead to compromise. For God’s people, it is more important to stand for the truth and stand against error than to accept others and their beliefs uncritically.
The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted
by Jesse A. Flowers
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18, ESV).
Have you ever been brokenhearted and crushed in your spirit? Perhaps you are presently. It is likely that most who are reading this have experienced such at least once if not multiple times in their life. If you have lost your spouse, a child, another close family member, a dear friend, then you know what it is like to have a broken heart and a crushed spirit. If you have experienced betrayal in someone that you placed your total trust and confidence in, then you felt the deep pain of a broken heart and a crushed spirit. Perhaps it happened to you when you, a loved one, or friend received the dreaded news of a terminal illness. Or maybe it occurred when you went through quarrels, strife, and division in a local church. For too many spouses it happens when their marriages fail and end in divorce. For too many parents it happens when their children rebel against the Lord and His will.
And there are certainly many other hardships and tribulations in this life that will lead one to be brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. But regardless of the cause, we must always remember that the Lord is near to us in such emotional and trying times. He loves us so much. He cares for us deeply. He is the God of all comfort. He implores us in His Word to come boldly to His throne of grace “that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. So, when you find yourself in circumstances that leave you brokenhearted and crushed in spirit, remember the Lord is there, He is close by, and He will never leave your side or abandon you. He is our rock, our refuge, our fortress, our deliver, our strength, and our salvation. May we say with David, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings, I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by” (Ps. 57:1).
