Today is the last of three devotional readings from the teaching ministry of A.W. Tozer (1897-1963). Tozer was saved at home in Akron, Ohio at the age of seventeen after having heard a street preacher say, "If you don't know how to be saved, just call on God." He did exactly that.
Isaiah 53:7, 9 - "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth...and there was no deceit in His mouth."
Christians who understand the true meaning of Christ's cross will never whine about being treated unfairly. Whether or not they are given fair treatment will never enter their heads. They know they have been called to follow Christ, and certainly the Savior did not receive anything approaching fair treatment from mankind.
In language the word unfair seems altogether innocent, but it indicates an inner attitude that has no place among Christians.
The man who cries, "Unfair!" is not a victorious man. He is inwardly defeated and in self-defense appeals to the referee to note that he has been fouled. This gives him an alibi when they carry him out on a stretcher and saves his face while his bruises heal.
It is a certainty that Christians will suffer wrongs; but if they take them in good spirit and without complaint, they have conquered their enemy. They remember that Jesus was reviled - but any thought of His shouting for fair play simply cannot be entertained by the reverent heart!
Lord, remind us to think of your example whenever we are tempted to complain that "life is unfair". You suffered the greatest injustice of all; yet you remained silent.
