SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 24
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. [1 Samuel 24:16-17] Here we see how goodness overcomes evil. David sees even his enemy as someone that God loves, someone that God has anointed for a purpose. He is not oblivious to Saul’s failings, and he knows that one day he will be the next king (he was already anointed by Samuel). But it is not his call to kill king Saul; he is awaiting God’s timing. In the meantime, he overcomes the evil in Saul’s heart with his act of kindness.

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [Matthew 5:44-45] Are we not called to do the same? Jesus challenges us to be like God, showing kindness to both the righteous and the unrighteous. Is not everyone person in some way God’s anointed, beloved children created for a purpose? Even the most wicked and cruel need mercy. Someone needs to love them, forgive them, not treat them as their sins deserve. And maybe through this mercy, they too will be convicted and changed.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:19-21] Leave justice in God’s hands, and those responsible for it (government, police, the courts); do not seek revenge, rather demonstrate mercy and kindness. In this way we overcome evil with good.

I am not saying this is easy. I have not been in the kinds of situations that some people have, horrible situations that I would find it hard to deal with graciously. But it is God’s way, the way of Jesus, and the way of those who follow Jesus. So if I want to be a Jesus-follower, then like David I have to strive to show mercy even to my enemy; like Jesus I have to strive to love, forgive and serve those who are against me.

PRAYER:
Lord, I do not have this kind of mercy in me, but You have it in You, and You are in me. Help me overcome evil with good, love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me.