ABSENCE OF MALICE

“Though You test my heart, searching it in the night, though You try me with fire, You shall find no malice in me.” –Psalm 17:3

In one day, Job lost everything that was precious to him. Satan placed his bets on Job responding to this tragedy with malice by blaspheming God to His face (Jb 1:11). “In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God” (Jb 1:22). Rather, Job responded: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Jb 1:21)

The prophet Jonah faced a much smaller dose of adversity. In one hot day, he found and then lost a shade tree, which had provided comfort and relief to him (Jon 4:7). Based on previous reactions, Satan didn’t have to bet on Jonah’s response to an inconvenience; he knew Jonah would respond with anger toward God and pity toward himself (Jon 4:9).

One man reacts to major tragedy with grace and humility, giving honor to God. Another man reacts to a minor setback with petty, self-centered anger and blames God. What causes the difference? One major reason is the absence of malice (Ps 17:3). Jonah harbored malice toward the people of Nineveh, and could not let go of that bitterness. Conversely, Job made a daily practice of praying fervently and was an upright man, “fearing God and avoiding evil” (Jb 1:1, 5). When tough times came, each man responded “from his heart’s abundance” (Lk 6:45). Are you ready for tough times? Who do you need to forgive?

PRAYER: Father, create a clean heart in me (Ps 51:12). Help me to decide to forgive everyone who has hurt me.
PROMISE: “Whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him Who sent Me.” –Lk 9:48
PRAISE: St. Lawrence travelled to Japan with Dominican priests, not fully understanding the persecution that awaited them. He never renounced the Faith, winning a martyr’s crown.