My husband and I have been watching the 1883 series on Paramount +. The prequel of Yellowstone’s prosperous Dutton family. There is a 1923 show which continues from 1883, but we haven’t gotten that far yet.
In 1883, episode 6, there is an eye-opening scene between Tim McGraw who plays James Dutton, and his daughter, Elsa who is played by Isabel May. A tragedy has occurred that involved Elsa, and she took matters into her own hands so to speak. I won’t spoil it for you, but in their exchange, a life lesson occurs between a father and his daughter that can be a learning moment for us.
Elsa is angry and brewing with disdain and rage. Her father, James, tells her a story about his Civil War experience and subsequent killings he committed, which left him questioning the purpose of his life, as the wounded and the dead surrounded him. They realized together, they now shared a common bond of loss and hate. The father proceeds to counsel his child to not sit in the hate and give up, but rather use it for growth and development. Death was a certainty on their journey across the Plains, but they had to keep going for survival.
James Dutton ends his conversation with this one line: “Leave the hating to me”. Elsa’s teary-filled eyes follow her dad as he gallops away on his horse. James Dutton was insisting that his only daughter relinquish her wrath to her father who would protect her at all costs.
The same goes for God. In the Bible, in the Book of Jeremiah: Chapters 30:22 and 32:38, two scriptures repeat the same message:
“You shall be My people; and I will be Your God.”
And because of this, God demands that we turn away from our sins, hate, wrath, and humble ourselves and seek Him in everything. Just as it was written in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
James loves his daughter, Elsa, so much, he’d risk his life for her. In one episode he even tells a horse rancher, “You’ll never love her like I do.” It’s the same with God, He loves us so much, and He made us in His image, as stated in Genesis 1:27.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them.”
I know what you’re thinking. This is all fine and dandy, so were loved, yes, but it doesn’t discount the fact that there will be troubles in our lives. Even Jesus said so in John 16:32-33.
“Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In Mark 13:8, Jesus said…
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
Remember, there are devils in our midst who want to consume our thoughts and actions and take away all that is good within us. Jesus said in John 10:10.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”
You might be thinking that’s great; I’m still wallowing, the devil is winning. What do I do? Read Psalm 13. It’s a great battle cry!
“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”
Yes, there’s a lot to be angry about in this world and to hate. In Ephesians 6:12, it talks about how evil is much bigger than we can ever imagine.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
How should we live every single day? We need to suit up and boot up and put on the Whole Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6: 10-18.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Why do we need to do it at all? To protect ourselves when evil comes against us, knowing God will take vengeance for us as described in Romans 12:19.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Until then…Live your life with purpose, servanthood, love, and gratitude, seeking the Kingdom of God first as it is written in Mathew 6:33.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
And leave the hating to God!