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Our Daily Bread                                   Wednesday, June 15 1994

                         THE CYNICAL PAST
Read: Psalm 116

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. - Psalm 116:5

Theodore Roosevelt understood the dangers of cynicism when he observed, "The
poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer." The Psalmist nearly
succumbed to this danger. He evidently had enemies who were out to get him
with vicious lies and rumors. The attacks were so unjustified and his
 desperation
so deep that he thought he would die. In his loneliness and agony he concluded
that there was no one he could trust. He confessed, "I said in my haste, 'All
men are liars'" (Ps. 116:11)

Cynicism is a virus that attacks the spirit and breaks down our relationship
both to others and to God. The cynic suspects the worst even in the best of
people. He can see more evil through a keyhole than others can see through
an open door. The psalmist's enemies nearly defeated him, not with knives
but through verbal attacks. And the greatest danger came not from the lies
told about him but from their effect on his soul and his walk with the Lord.

Beware of cynicism. Avoid making snap judgements about others while under
stress. The psalmist did that but eventually realized that his attitude was
wrong. God delivered him and replaced his cynicism with vibrant praise. The
Lord can do that for you too. -- HWR

                         'Mid sun or rain, 'mid good or ill,
                            Through all my earthly days,
                          May nothing bitter quell, O Lord,
                          My grateful song of praise. -- Adams

Bible in one year: Song of Solomon 5-8

Thought for the day:

Cynicism sees only evil at work; faith sees God at work


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