Love Your Enemies 

By Billie Duty

In Psalm 35 David described the way wicked men treated him:        

Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.  They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul. (Ps. 35:11-12)

Yet his attitude towards them was entirely different:

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. (Ps.35:13-14)

David continued: 

But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, and I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;  with ungodly mockers at feasts they gnashed at me with their teeth. (Ps. 35:15-16)

The ungodly mind-set of David's enemies is so familiar in the world today.  There are so many who get joy from watching others suffer....

           …. Some gossip,

                      ….Some steal,

                          ….Some murder...

                                    ….Anything to watch others hurt.

Our Lord tells His children how to handle these kinds of people:

Jesus says: "…Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matt. 5:44-48)

 We also read in Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

As children of God, we should always practice what is referred to as the Golden Rule:

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. 7:12)

ISBS Ladies Daily Devotional
12/15/04