It’s tempting to hold a grudge when someone does me wrong. But grudges metastasize into resentments that rot the soul. Bitter old people abound, most of whom hold onto wrongs they experienced long ago.

The Lord, on the other hand, never seems to hold a grudge. He disciplines and corrects, guiding his followers when we go astray. On top of that he grants fresh starts.

David took Bathsheba from her bath, got her pregnant and then ordered her husband killed. The child born from this corrupt liaison died, because David utterly scorned the Lord. God put the death squarely on David. But after all the scandal and pain, God did something unexpected—he blessed their next child.

Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah (Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord).

David paid for the hookup with Bathsheba for years. Others in his orbit suffered as well. But the second child got a fresh start. Solomon couldn’t help how his parents got together. Despite the father’s wrongdoings, God granted a fresh start to the next generation.

All of us inherit issues from our parents, grandparents and family, and each of us will pass issues on to our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. No family is immune to handicaps of one form or another. But the Lord pours out his grace again and again, granting reprieves and fresh starts, for generation after generation of those who seek him.

2 Samuel 12

Photo by Jon Tyson

I was back in my hometown this week and noticed several changes since I last visited. For a local, change occurs gradually. But an occasional visitor like myself finds new construction surprising. While changes occur at their own pace, the perception of suddenness shifts with the viewer.

Brought from his cell, Paul laid out the case for the Christian faith before King Agrippa. The king found the arguments fascinating, and Paul’s insistence on the claims took Agrippa back. He asked, In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?

Paul replied, Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.

I know people who came to faith after years of first ignoring, then wondering, and finally searching for God. Others hear the good news about Jesus and immediately turn to follow him. We don’t always know where a person stands in that continuum.

Regardless, I can confidently speak of his life and death and resurrection, along with my experience concerning Jesus. Some will be as Agrippa and turn away. Others ponder words about Jesus, and still more embrace the faith. Whether short or long, many still choose to follow our amazing Savior.

Acts 26:28-29

Photo by Aron Visuals

For a movement to spread, influence and leadership must flow beyond the original founders. Apollos represents such growth in the Christian church.

Apollos arrived in Ephesus and immediately proved himself an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. But even as he spoke about Jesus, he didn’t know all the details. So two disciples who had been with Paul, Priscilla and Aquila, took Apollos aside and explained the ways of Jesus more accurately.

Apollos developed into a powerful preacher. He taught in various cities, including Corinth, spreading the faith and encouraging the churches. Martin Luther even credited him with the authorship of Hebrews. Whether he wrote that letter or not, Apollos exerted a powerful influence within many growing churches.

Which is interesting because Apollos launched into his career without having met Jesus or any of the original disciples. Apollos came to faith after hearing from the next generation of Christ followers. His mentors, Priscilla and Aquila, were in the same camp, also never having been with Jesus. Apollos represents the first generation beyond the original founders.

Every eloquent preacher who helps those who follow Jesus, and shares from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, follows in the footsteps of Apollos. All of us who claim Jesus today owe a debt to Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila. They nurtured and spread the faith through a critical period, intense with persecution, bridging the days of the founders to the centuries of the followers.

Let us continue in the same path. The next generations will follow Jesus and enjoy our amazing God if we point them in the right way. Like Apollos, let’s be fervent in spirit and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus.

Acts 18:24-28

Photo by Sneha Cecil

In the middle of fleeing for his life, David somehow found time to write poetry. While hiding in a cave he wrote:

The steadfast love of God endures all the day.

Which makes me think of things I deal with every day that do not endure.

Food goes bad. Clothes wear out. Plants die. Friends move away. Family members pass on. Health declines. Money takes wings. Memories fade.

But the loyal, firm, deep affection of God remains constant.

David had it bad, but chose to rest in the unchanging nature of God. Lean into the Lord. Gain refreshment from him. The sun is shining somewhere, and God’s love continues to endure.

Psalm 52:1

Photo by Sebastien Gabriel