“And I say to you: Love your enemies… and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
The American Civil War created many bitter feelings, but Abraham Lincoln saw fit to say a good word about the South. Afterwards, one woman, shocked by his words, asked how he could do that. Lincoln replied, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Reflecting on these words centuries later, Martin Luther King commented, “That is the power of redemptive love.”
In urging Christians to love their enemies, King referred to the teachings of Jesus. He noted that although it may be difficult for believers to love those who persecute them, this love grows out of “constant and complete submission to God.” King said: “By showing such love, we know God and experience the beauty of His holiness.”
King referred to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in which the Lord said, “Love your enemies … and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father” (Matt. 5:44-45). Jesus opposed the generally accepted principle of loving only your loved ones and hating your enemies. Instead, God the Father empowers His children to love those who oppose them.
It may seem impossible to love our enemies, but if we turn to God for help, He answers our prayers. He gives courage to accept this radical practice, because, as Jesus said, “all things are possible with God” (Mt. 19:26).
Who is your enemy? If it seems incompatible to show love to those who oppose you, how can you bring these feelings to God?
Loving God, You created me and my abusers in Your image. Help perceive them as you perceive them.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“I praise You, Lord, among the nations, I sing to Your name!” — 2 Samuel 22:50
During her seventy-year reign of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II approved only one biography about her life with a personal preface – “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves.” The book, published in honor of her 90th birthday, tells the story of how her faith guided her while serving her country. In her foreword, Queen Elizabeth thanked all those who prayed for her and thanked God for His unfailing love. At the end, she concluded: “I really saw His faithfulness.”
Queen Elizabeth’s simple words resonate with the testimonies of many men and women who have personally experienced God’s faithful care in their lives. This very theme is the basis of a beautiful song that King David wrote while reflecting on his life. It is recorded in the 22nd chapter of the Second Book of Samuel. This song tells about God’s faithfulness in protecting David, in providing for his needs and in saving him when his life was threatened (vv. 3-4, 44). In response to his experience of God’s faithfulness, David wrote: “To Your name I sing!” (v. 50).
As witnesses of God’s faithfulness, we must tell others about His care in our lives. If we realize that in life we are not guided by our own abilities, but by the faithful care of a loving Father, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and praise.
How has God’s faithfulness been manifested in your life? How to express your gratitude to God?
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that in every season of life, in sadness or joy, I have seen Your faithfulness.
Author: Lisa Samra
“You have known the Holy Scriptures since childhood, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 3:15
When Christine wanted to buy a special book for her Chinese husband, Xiao-Hu, the only book in Chinese she could find was a Bible. Although neither of them were Christians, she hoped he would still appreciate the gift. At first, the man was angry when he saw the Bible, but in the end he took it in his hands. Reading the Bible, he became more and more convinced of the truth expressed in its pages. Upset by such an unexpected turn of events, Christine herself began to read the scriptures to prove her husband wrong about his new views. However, to her surprise, she also believed in Jesus, convinced of the truth of what she had read.
The Apostle Paul knew that the Holy Scriptures change people. Writing from a Roman prison, he called on Timothy to “prove what you have been taught,” because “you have known the Holy Scriptures from childhood” (2 Tim. 3:14-15). In the Greek language, the word “to try” means to “abide” in what the Bible reveals. Knowing that Timothy would face opposition and persecution, Paul wanted him to be ready for the challenges. He believed that Timothy would find strength and wisdom in the Bible by meditating on its truth.
God, through His Spirit, makes the Scriptures come alive for us. If we are in biblical truth, He changes us so that we become like Him. God did the same with Xio-Hu and Christine.
How has reading and meditating on the Bible changed you? When did the Scriptures come alive for you?
Creator of all things visible and invisible, thank you for making the Bible a life-giving book. Help me to obey You by reading the Scriptures.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” — Rome. 13:8
At the age of thirty, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart by faith, and I had many questions. And when I started reading the Bible, even more questions arose before me. I turned to my friend: “Is it possible to fulfill all God’s commandments? I just yelled at my husband this morning!”
“Just keep reading the Bible,” she said, “and ask the Holy Spirit to help you love the way Jesus loves you.”
I have now been with the Lord for more than twenty years, and this simple but wise advice still helps me to follow the three steps that I call “the cycle of God’s love.” First, the apostle Paul claimed that love occupies a central place in a Christian’s life. Secondly, by continuing to pay the “debt of love to one another”, Christ’s followers show obedience to Him, “for whoever loves another has fulfilled the Law” (Rom. 13:8). After all, we fulfill the law, because “love does no harm to a neighbor” (v. 10).
Experiencing the depth of God’s love for us, revealed through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can respond with gratitude. Our grateful devotion to Jesus motivates us to love others with our words, actions, and attitudes. True love comes from the one true God, who is love himself (1 John 4:16, 19).
Loving God, help us to follow the path of Your great love!
When have you tried to feel that Jesus loves you, or tried to love as He loves? How does understanding that Jesus loves you completely and unconditionally affect how you show your love to others?
Dear Jesus, please help me to believe that You love me and to continue to show that love to others.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“A person’s pride brings him down, and honor is gained by a humble spirit.” — Proverbs 29:23
Pride precedes humiliation and often leads to it. One man in Norway was well convinced of this. Not even wearing sports clothes, he defiantly challenged Karsten Warholm, the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, to a race. Warholm accepted the challenge. At the finish, the two-time world champion smiled when his opponent, explaining his loss, insisted that he just had a bad start and would like to try again!
In the Book of Proverbs 29:23 it is written: “A man’s pride brings him low, but a humble spirit gains honor.” God’s dealings with the proud is one of Solomon’s favorite themes in this book (Prov. 11:2; 16:18; 18:12). The word “pride” in these verses means “inflated” or “inflated,” that is, appropriating to oneself what rightfully belongs to God. When we are filled with pride, we think more highly of ourselves than we should. The Lord Jesus once said: “He who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt. 23:12). Scripture encourages us to seek humility. This is not a false modesty, but a proper self-perception and recognition that it is God who gives us everything we have. This means showing wisdom and not speaking arrogantly and “hastily” (Prov. 29:20).
We ask God to give us a wise heart to humble ourselves for His glory and avoid self-abasement.
When have you experienced humility that glorified God? How to humble yourself before God?
Dear God, remind me that humility is the path to Your glory.
Author: Marvin Williams
“And we prayed to our God, and set a guard against them day and night.” — Nehemiah 4:3
Wallace and Mary Brown decided to move to a poor area of Birmingham (England). A small church needed a pastor. But the couple did not know that a local gang operated on the territory adjacent to the church and the house in which they were supposed to live. Bricks were thrown at the Browns’ windows, fences were set on fire, and their children were threatened. The violence continued for months, and the police could do nothing.
The book of the prophet Nehemiah tells how the Israelites rebuilt the destroyed walls of Jerusalem. When the enemies “conspired … to cause … confusion” (Neh. 4:2), the Israelites “prayed to … God, and set a watchman against them” (v. 3). Sensing that God was guiding them through this text from the Bible, the Browns, their children, and a few others circled the walls of the church, praying that He would place angels on guard to protect them. The thugs taunted, but the next day only half of the gang showed up. Then there were only five bandits, and after another day no one came at all. The Browns later heard that the gang had stopped terrorizing people.
This miraculous answer to prayer is not a formula for our own defense, but it reminds us that opposition to God’s work will come and must be dealt with by the weapon of prayer. “Remember the great and terrible Lord,” said Nehemiah to the Israelites (v. 8). He can change even cruel hearts.
What would you do if you were the Brown family? Who needs your prayers for salvation today?
Amazing God, send Your mighty angels to protect Your people and change the hearts of the enemies.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
“And Abraham called the name of that place: ‘The Lord will see’.” — Genesis 22:14
Judson Van DeVenter was born on a farm, where he learned to draw and studied art. Eventually, he became a drawing teacher. However, God had a completely different plan for him. Friends appreciated his work in the church and encouraged him to engage in evangelism. Judson also felt that God was calling him to this, but it was difficult for him to give up art. However, according to him, “finally the decisive hour of my life came, and I gave everything to Him.”
We cannot imagine the broken heart of Abraham when God called him to give up his son Isaac. Reading God’s command “bring… him as a burnt offering” (Gen. 22:2), we ask ourselves: “And what valuable thing does God call us to sacrifice?” We know that in the end God had mercy on Isaac (v. 12), but the point is clear: Abraham was willing to give up what was most valuable to him. He believed that God would help him in fulfilling the most difficult calling.
We say we love God, but are we willing to sacrifice the most precious thing? Judson Van DeVenter followed God’s call to evangelize and wrote the hymn “I want to give everything to You.” Later, God called Judson to teach, and one of his students became a young man named Billy Graham.
God’s plan for our lives has purposes beyond our imagination. He wants us to be ready to give the most precious thing. It seems like the least we can do. After all, He gave His Only Begotten Son for us.
What is God’s calling for you? What might you have to sacrifice for Him?
Dear God, it is difficult for me to surrender all areas of my life to You. Please help me to trust You.
Author: Kenneth Petersen
“Has no one condemned you?” —John 8:10
Maggie’s young friend appeared at the church in a shocking outfit. However, this should not have surprised anyone, because she was a prostitute. The visitor shifted uneasily in her seat, often tugging at her too-short skirt and shyly wrapping her arms around herself.
“Oh, are you cold?” asked Maggie, deftly diverting attention from the way her friend was dressed. “Here! Take my shawl.”
Maggie introduced dozens of people to Jesus just by inviting them to church and making them feel comfortable. Her effective methods made it possible to shine the Gospel. Maggie treated everyone with respect.
When the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus with a severe (and just) charge of adultery, Christ ignored her until he had dismissed all her accusers. Left alone with a woman, He could simply quarrel with her. Instead, He asked her just two simple questions: “Where are those… who challenged you?” and “Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10). The answer to the last question was “no”. Then Jesus explained the Gospel to her in one short sentence: “Neither do I condemn you.” And then he added: “Go, but sin no more!” (v. 11).
Never underestimate the power of genuine love for people, a love that refuses to judge and instead shows everyone respect and forgiveness.
How do you react when you see someone’s bad lifestyle? Who can you invite to church this week and how can you help them come?
Merciful God, please forgive me for my condemnation and help me to show others Your love and grace.
Author: Tim Gustavson
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget for all His goodness!”— Psalm 102:2
Christina Costa was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After spending some time in the clinic, she noticed that the talk about cancer was dominated by belligerent rhetoric. Patients “struggle” or even “fight” with their illness. Christina quickly got tired of this metaphor. She “didn’t want to fight with her own body for more than a year.” Instead, she found another approach: a daily gratitude exercise. The girl found an excuse for this every day. She thanked the team of doctors, for the fact that she got better. From her own experience, Khrystyna was convinced that no matter how difficult the struggle, gratitude helps to resist depression and “wire the brain” for recovery.
This story reminded me that practicing gratitude is not just our duty. Yes, God deserves our gratitude, but it is also very useful for us. When we lift up our hearts, saying: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget for all His good deeds” (Ps. 102:2), we remember the many ways of God’s work: the assurance of forgiveness, the healing of our bodies and souls, the experience of His “grace and mercy” and the infinite “goodness” manifested in His creation (vv. 3-5).
Not all who suffer will receive complete healing in earthly life, however, our hearts can always be renewed with an expression of gratitude, because God’s love is with us “for ever and ever” (v. 17).
How have you received healing through gratitude? What are you thankful for today?
Dear God, thank you for always giving me reason to be thankful and hopeful.
Author: Monica La Rose
“Some give generously, but it is added to him.” — Proverbs 11:24
On her wedding day, Gwendolyn Stulgis wore the wedding dress of her dreams, and then she gave it to a stranger. Stulgis believed that the dress deserved more than just gathering dust in the closet. Other brides also agreed with her. Now dozens of women have joined together on her social media page to donate and receive wedding dresses. One donor said: “I hope this dress will be passed down from bride to bride until it wears out and falls to pieces from all the celebrations that have taken place in it.”
Gifts are pleasant not only to receive, but also to give. It is said in the Holy Scriptures: “Some give generously, and still more is added to him, and some hide beyond measure, but only become poor. The soul that blesses will be satisfied, and he who feeds others – he will also be drunk” (Prov. 11:24-25).
The apostle Paul also taught this principle. As he bid farewell to the believers in Ephesus, he blessed them (Acts 20:32) and reminded them of the importance of generosity. He set himself as an example to follow: “I showed you everything that, working like this, you need to help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord, because He Himself revealed: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”” (v. 35).
Showing generosity reflects God. “For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3:16). So let us follow His glorious example!
What kind of gift did you give recently? How did your gift help someone else?
Dear Father, please open my hands to give to others with Your love in my heart.
Author: Patricia Raybon
