Psalm 31:11
11 I was a reproach [cherpah] among all mine enemies [tsarar], but especially [ma`od]
among my neighbours [shaken], and a fear [pachad] to mine acquaintance [yada`]:
they that did see [ra'ah] me without [chuwts] fled [nadad] from me. KJV-Interlinear
11
Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, Especially to my
neighbors, And an object of dread to my acquaintances; Those who see me in the
street flee from me. NASB
Too often, people are
afraid to do the simplest thing, such as read a bible study, for fear that
someone will see them reading or find out that they are interested in Christian
teaching, and mock or ostracize them for their Christian activity.
A reproach, ‘cherpah,’
refers to the attitude of disgrace, embarrassment, a rejection, or a
shame. And people will avoid you if you
profess your Christian views, just as you avoid your Christian responsibilities
or connections because you are likewise embarrassed or ashamed or repulsed by
the thought of humbling yourself to whatever or whoever it is that you wish to
avoid in your Christian life.
To flee, ‘nadad,’ really
means to avoid, to ignore, to stay away, to ostracize.
And all sorts of people,
including family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, or strangers will take it
upon themselves to hurt you emotionally or perhaps physically, simply by
avoiding you or leaving you out of their social or work activities.
So, what is more
important to you in life, your peers and what people think of you, or your
Christian views and what God thinks of you.
Throughout history,
people have been thrown into prison, thrown to the lions, sent into slavery or
poverty simply because of their Christian beliefs, and their refusal to conform
to the current views of the world.
How far would you go, to
maintain your Christian views? Would you
walk away from your job, your political beliefs, lose your home or family? Would you lose your life over Christ?
Would you avoid a daily
study, or study in private? Would you
avoid speaking out when speaking out is needed?
Would you avoid your
responsibilities and obligations to self or to others, for the sake of avoiding
insults.
Would you avoid giving in
order to protect your pocketbook, because after all, money is tight and someone
else can do that. It’s much easier to
say you’ll pray about that, and then do nothing.
Just how strong, or weak,
is your Christian faith?
Who or what do you fear
more, God or people or life's circumstances?
Who or what do you trust
more, God or people or life's circumstances?
Are you a spiritual warrior,
or a wimp?
