August 25 – Kindness Instead

 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” – Proverbs 25:21-22 (NASB)

Today the Proverb we look at may likely be one of the more familiar and frequently heard. The Apostle Paul quotes this in Romans 12:13 as part of his instruction for us to not seek revenge for wrongs. It is better Paul says to “leave room for the wrath of God.” What is our promise for today? It is the promise of the reward we receive by choosing a ‘better way,’ a way God has given to us on how we should be dealing with the conflicts others bring into our life. The heathen code of morals doe not contain this perfection of love. Ultimately every system concedes to selfishness which is found in the heart of every person. The common principle was to love those that love us. Enemies were expected and it was hatred and revenge that was understood by all while this principle of “heaping hot coals,” through an expression of love, resulting in an enemy’s softening was not understood. This principal was taught by Jesus as how to live ‘Kingdom life’ in Matthew 5:43-48.

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May 21 – Righteously Faithful to One

“You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? – James 4:4-5

It is a metaphorical description of many people’s hearts due to spiritual unfaithfulness. The first readers of this letter from James, the half brother of Jesus, would have found this familiar. In the Old Testament, the only scripture available at the time this letter was written, often describes the unfaithful Israel as a spiritual harlot. James has in view professing Christians who are outwardly associated with the church, but in real living are holding a deep affection for the world system which is evil. These professing but not faithful who identify as Christians are nothing but friends of the things and ways of world and so in enmity to God (a really terrifying thought). Plainly put, there is no way to be friends with the world and faithful to God at the same time. It is like claiming we are one with God while we have dalliances with what is worldly fun and pleasure. It is not safe for our God is called a “consuming fire” and a “jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). Let’s be sure to not be “stepping out” on God with that which He says is an enemy. 

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December 2 – Refuge of Strength

“Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. … For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.”  Psalm 61:1,3 (NASB)

Yesterday we looked at the second verse of this Psalm by David.  Today we look at verses one and three.  In this song, David is writing about his need for God to hear his prayer.   In the third verse David claims God's promise as his refuge and his tower of strength.  Towers were important in those days so that a defending army could see the enemy approaching from far off.  Towers provided protection from the enemy.  We need such protection today and we find it in the same place David did – in God.  He is where we find refuge and the strength we need to fight the enemy that attacks us from every side.  We cannot defeat the enemy on our own, using our own strength.  When we try it is like we are standing alone on the battle field surrounded on every side with no protection.  We need to be in God who is the refuge we need, God has promised to watch over us and to never leave us alone.  He does hear our prayers, its a promise.

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