2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

I do not know how many times I have heard my brothers and sisters in Christ declare that they do not have a ministry. Well here it is, given to us, all, any, everyone who has been reconciled to God. We all have a ministry of reconciliation. Now before you go off on me about it is not within our ability, let me say that all you have to do is look back at how you became reconciled to God.

Someone introduced you to the One who does the reconciliation. Our job is not to do the job but to make the introduction. We often look at things which are impossible for us to attain to as an excuse to not get involved.

Christ lives within you. All you have to do is walk your little insecure self over to that person and say hello. Is that so hard to do? We know what God’s intention is in this but we are not responsible for what happens beyond the introduction. We have to get over the fear of failing. You cannot fail at what you cannot do. You can however get involved.

I dare say that the majority of us fail to speak to strangers for fear of rejection. If you look at the ministry of reconciliation as nothing more than an introduction then any rejection is not you but Christ. If you show you are sincere, interested and enthusiastic, then there is nothing more to be done.

Can you at least do that?

Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Massah means temptation and Meribah means contention. Is that all that is to be learned here? Not by a long shot. There is so much to be learned by all the events, causes and effects, attitudes and actions, that no devotional could speak to all of it. It is just too much. If I had to boil all that is meaningful down to one salient point which we could use I would pick just this one thing.

When there is contention in the assembly, glorify God.

The reason is simple enough even though it might not be obvious reading all accounts. Glorifying God heads off all the troubles that resulted because of the contentions. Staying out of trouble, walking down the right path, heading towards blessings and away from consequences should be our goal for the individual and for the congregation.

When the problem isn’t clear, glorify God. When the answer is not clear, glorify God. When doubt arises, glorify God.

Those who will not glorify God in those moments will quickly be seen for what they are and God will deal with them. Our responsibility is to glorify God and to do those things which make for peace and the bond of unity within the congregation. Those among you who cannot will eventually leave your midst.

Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Glorify God in those moments, allow Him to do the shaking.