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II Chronicles 24:1-25:28, Romans 12:1-21, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 20:8-10
“Instead feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be ‘heaping coals of fire on his head.’ In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:20-21
God’s ways are indeed higher than ours. Is being kind to your enemy the first thing that comes to mind? Probably not. I know it’s been a struggle for me through the years. As I’ve gotten older, it’s been helpful to look at “enemies” with pity. Pity helps to get past anger and to see their true state. They either don’t know God and are caught up in miserable games or they are saved but are deeply wounded and don’t know how to let the walls down. Either way, they obviously don’t have the joy or the love. Think of the weight they must carry with all the deception and hatred they harbor to hurt people on that level. No, we must be bigger than that. We must be overcomers of our own hurts and pain and extend God’s olive leaf to those still struggling. The only thing that will break cold evil is God’s warm love.
PRAYER: Lord, between me and You, people wear me out sometimes. I cannot believe how ugly and vindictive some folks are. Forgive me if I ever step out of line. I want to exhibit Your love and character in all situations. I pray right now for every person who has done me wrong and those who will seek to hurt me in the future. I ask You to pierce their hearts and draw them unto Yourself. Save them Lord, heal their hearts, change their desires, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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