Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 28:1-5
Ps 28:1-5
1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.
Matt 5:43-45
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
There seems to be a vast difference in these two passages when applied to our attitude toward our enemies. The Jews were the special people of God on earth and his was a physical nation. Any enemy of Israel or the king of Israel was an enemy of God and it was their job to get rid of them. They were told to careful to not be like or become a part of any of the nations that lived around them.
We are part of the spiritual kingdom of God and we are ever in a spiritual battle with evil and sin but we are to love our enemies and pray for them. The way we best defeat them is by bringing them to Christ. We react to hatred and bitterness with love and kindness. God has given us our armor and it consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and shoes ready to share the gospel. Our weapon is the word of God and we are protected by the hope of salvation.
Like the people of God in the Old Testament, we are not to become a part of the world around us. We have no choice but to live in this world but we do not and must not allow it to live in us. Our lights reflect the light of Jesus shining in us by the way we live. This light exposes evil and at the same time, brings glory to God. We show love and we live in peace in a way that the world cannot understand.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for the love you have shown to me and continue to show me every day of my life. Sometimes I get frustrated and fail to be kind or show your love, so I need your help and the self-control that only comes from the Spirit working in me. Give me wisdom to keep my words to myself unless they will build up those who hear. Thank you for your continued forgiveness. Be with those who are sick, taking treatments or getting over surgeries. Give them your healing and your peace. Bless your people everywhere. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
