Reading Romans 12:17-21 and 1 Samuel 26
Overcoming Evil with Good
Today’s readings go so well together and speak to me about our days that we are currently in. We are called to live peaceable with all people. (Romans 12:18) This can be very difficult in a day when people are killing one another, rioting and looting is happening to people’s businesses, and words in social media can hurt to the very core of our being. Yes, we are in dark days, but we are instructed to “overcome evil with good”. (Romans 12:21)
We should do good to our enemies and doing so we will heap coals on their head. This is how we die to ourselves and live for Christ, is it what we have been called to do. We are not called to criticize and lambast our enemy, for we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and evil schemes. In John 10:10 it states, “The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come to give life and to give it more abundantly.” This is the time when we need to pray for our enemies that the deceiver will be revealed. We must pray for God’s protection over those that are spreading the gospel in areas that have been hit the hardest. Furthermore, we must pray for our enemies. This can include political leaders we do not agree with or others that we come in contact with that seem so radical for the things not of God.
Do No Harm to Enemy
While reading through 1 Samuel 26, it is at the time when David is being hunted by Saul. Saul was king, but he had turned away from God and the Spirit that was upon him had left. Saul had many times tried to kill David, which would make one think that David would take the opportunity to kill Saul, when given that chance. Yet David was a man that knew God and knew God’s heart. David knew that Saul was still the Lord’s anointed (vs. 9). He also knew it was not his calling to take the life of Saul. Instead he knew that God would take care of Saul Himself.
Interestingly, David took Saul’s spear and water jug, while he and his men slept. Imagine your enemy coming into your home and not harming you, yet instead taking something off your nightstand to show you how close they were. Would that get your attention? What would you think if this happened and you had armed guards surrounding your place? How would it make you feel knowing your guards slept through this account?
David was chosen by God and it says in verse 12, “a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.” David easily could have taken Saul’s life, but he didn’t. When David was a safe distance away, then he called out to Abner, one of Saul’s men. He jests with him about guarding his king and sleeping through David coming into the camp. How many soldiers when given an opportunity to take out an enemy would do it without thinking. God is our defender and we are called to love our enemy and not to harm them.
Peace & Love
Remember in Romans we are called to live peaceable with all men. Are you at peace with those around you or those in your social media feed? When someone calls you names or spits in your face do you still love them? How about when they burn down your business and you lose everything? We are called to be set apart. We will be known for our actions. I know living for God is not an easy thing, but the benefits we have for living in him are far greater.
I read Proverbs 25 to end my day and I’ll leave this hear because it’s also quoted in Romans.
‘If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.’
Proverbs 25:21-22
God will reward us when we do good to our enemy. We are called to love and have compassion. It’s not going to be easy but the reward from our Father is greater than you or I can think or imagine. Love cancels out fear. Love shows the true nature of God inside of us.
‘Love suffers long and is kind;
love does not envy;
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’
I Corinthians 13:4-7