My son said he and his friends had been discussing a question and he wanted to ask us too. He said, “Would you rather be trapped in a room with someone you love or hate?” Before we could answer, he started sharing some of his friend’s answers. He then looked at my wife and asked for her answer. She told him it didn’t matter to her because she would just sleep most of the time.” He laughed, looked at me and said, lI know it wouldn’t matter to you either. You’re so extroverted, you’d make the person who hated you your friend!” I told him that I would bless them until they had no choice but to like me. We had a good laugh as I continued to ponder the question.
In 2 Kings 6, the Arameans were at war with Israel. The prophet Elisha knew when and where they were going to attack and would tell Israel’s king. He would then change their strategy to be prepared. After this happened several times, the king of Aram got mad and thought he had a spy. They to,d him it was Elisha who was revealing their location, so he decided to go after him. He surrounded Elisha with his entire army, then Elisha asked God to make the entire army blind. He then led them to the king of Israel and asked God to open their eyes. They saw they were doomed as the king of Israel asked if he could kill them all. Elisha told him not to and to feed them instead. Verse 23 says that the king of Israel made them a great feast then sent them on their way. The Arameans stayed away from Israel after that because of the kindness shown to them
In Luke 6, Jesus was giving the Sermon on the Mount teaching people what God really wanted. In verses 27-28 He said, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them” (TPT). God’s way is different than our way. We tend to retaliate or get even with someone who hates us. God’s way is to love them and to pray for them. It’s hard to hate someone you’re asking God to bless. It’s also hard to hate someone who is blessing you. Remember that hate is not from God. Love is. How we act shows who our father is according to Jesus. How have you been responding to the people who hate you, your beliefs or actions? Try praying for them first. Then ask God to show you how to bless them in such a way that they have no choice but turn turn away from hate.
Photo by Marcus Wallis on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 