1 Samuel 17:47 – And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. (KJV)

An item in our news tells of a councillor's innovative idea to rid the streets of buskers — simply confiscate their instruments!

While it may prevent them from playing, it also is a very negative approach and would seem to encourage them then to beg, or panhandle. Would they not feel more worthwhile were they to be doing something they love, playing their music, knowing that any money they received was a reward for doing something constructive, a show of appreciation?

What is it about taking something that is cherished away from someone because someone else feels offended, and wants rid of it?

More and more in public gatherings, we are not allowed to say the Lord's Prayer, read from the Bible, make reference to Christianity. Would it be someone's wish that it be wiped out entirely, taken away from us as surely as the buskers' instruments?

God has asked us to love one another, to love our neighbours as ourselves, to judge not, lest we be judged. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians says that love is kind, it envieth not. Today's scripture states that He does not settle things by the sword and the spear.

When we are faced with a situation which is seemingly going against our grain, we must ask ourselves, What would God want us to do?. What would be the best solution for all parties involved without taking something that is cherished away from anyone?

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, grant us more understanding, more tolerance, more acceptance of each other and those things which are important to each one. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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