Their Accountability

and ours

Scripture Reading: Psalm 106:32-33

They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.

Charlie came by my office one morning. He sat down across from me and took off his old, faded, sweat-stained ball cap. He held it in his hands, his elbows resting on his thighs, his head bowed as if looking at the carpet patterns for secret words to begin to say what he wanted to say. Finally, after a few moments of silence, he looked up and began to tell me what was on his mind.

“I’ve been wrong about something. I’ve been saying all along that he was robbing me of my joy.” The “he” was his stepson, a troubled young man who gave Charlie a lot of grief in about as many varied ways as a young man could. He continued: “He isn’t robbing me of my joy. I’m letting him take it from me. He isn’t responsible for me being unhappy. I am. I’m not excusing his behavior. I’m just taking responsibility for mine. I just needed to tell someone that and I need you to pray with me about it.”

We prayed. Charlie grew and changed. He was happier even though life wasn’t easier.

Moses got mad at Meribah. Spitting mad. He had a mad that went all the way down into the core of his being. His spirit was bitter. The complaining of the people had finally gotten to him. It had been building for some time. Moses let it rip. He spoke rashly. He struck the Rock when he had been told to speak to it. He wouldn’t be going into the Promised Land.

Difficult people can cause you to become bitter and say and do things you otherwise wouldn’t have. They are the cause. But you are still responsible for your response to them. You are accountable for your actions. Moses didn’t get a “get out of jail” free card because his congregation was childish, impatient, immature, and unbelieving.

Yes, the people are accountable for their actions and attitudes as well. But their sin doesn’t excuse yours. As difficult as they are, as Charlie realized, they are robbing you of your joy. You are letting them take it from you.

People who wrongly cause you grief will be held accountable for their actions, and you will be held accountable for yours – even when what you do is in response to what they have done.

bitterness