Dial Daily Bread

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":

Eleven years ago the tiny nation of Rwanda, landlocked in Central Africa, was forced to go through hell on earth--the genocidal massacre of 800,000 Batutsi, slain in cold blood by their Bahutu neighbors. Some 40,000 Bahutu who were decent-minded enough not to want to join in the massacre were murdered also.

 

Now what concerns us is how can this surviving population find peace of heart to keep on living together? How can a Tutsi family live next door to Hutu neighbors who they know murdered their family members? "Forgive them?" Yes, of course; the government wisely wants everybody to forgive everybody. But is it humanly possible to do that and to "forget"? Sincere people, just as good as you and I are, are trying to do that. But......

 

When you know your "neighbor" has been a hypocrite, has murdered "you" in essence, has refused to confess and ask forgiveness, lies, what can you do? How can you stay the surge of resentful emotion that you can't help but feel?

 

Don't kid yourself--the Son of God felt that same surge welling up in His heart as He hung on His cross; He was cruelly, unjustly murdered. The Bible is clear--the surge was there as a temptation, for He was "in all points tempted LIKE as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). The massacred Rwandans suffered unspeakable cruelty, yes; but so did Jesus. The utterly impossible thing Rwandans can do—if they can be shown this "powerful" truth that is destined yet to "lighten the earth with glory" (Rev. 18:1, 2).

 

Strangely enough, in our modern church fellowship we wrestle with the same trial and temptation! We've been wronged, indeed; how else do we forgive and forget and love? Batutsi, move over; let us kneel down beside you.

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.

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