“If any of the people—men or women—betray the Lord by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty. They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done…”
Numbers 5:6-7 NLT
Jolted by the phrase, “betray the Lord,” I wondered how could I ever betray God? Then I discovered similar troubling words in other translations: unfaithful to the Lord, going against the word of the Lord, or even breaking trust with God…all denoting a breach in relationship with Him…and all caused by hurting another human being!
Why would God use such sobering words? Perhaps Malachi has a good reminder, “Are we not all created by the same God?” (2:10) On the day God formed Adam with His own hands from the dust of the ground, His heart was pulsating with love for His masterpiece, and that heart has never stopped beating. So, when I wrong any of Adam’s descendants in any way, I am betraying their Creator, I am grieving HIS heart!
Evidently in God’s mind the relationship picture has a much wider scope than just my God, my family, and my friends. It was God’s plan that every human born of Adam would walk in close relationship with Him. But even if one of those people chooses to go their own way, God’s heart never stops loving them! So, whether those around me have come home to relationship with God, or they are still on their way, how should I treat those that HE loves?
I pray that I NEVER betray God!
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