Love Your Enemies

Have you ever had to stand up for what you believe in? My guess is that most of us have never been persecuted and tortured for our beliefs to the extent of martyrdom, but this is reality in some countries. In some countries, Christians are persecuted for even owning a Bible. They are killed for sharing the Word of God with others. We definitely don’t have that level of persecution here in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some level of mocking that takes place. In Psalm 79, Asaph is dealing with some scoffers, or mockers. Trouble has come and Asaph has prayed for God to rescue him and his people and to protect them, but it hasn’t happened yet. Pagan nations were coming in and taking the land that belonged to God and they were mocking God in the process. “Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff, asking, “Where is their God?” (10) These pagan nations were coming in, taking what they wanted and laughing at the expense of the Israelites, because at that moment, God wasn’t stopping them. Even this was a part of God’s grand design for the people of Israel. Asaph begs for the restoration of his people and the forgiveness of their sins. He asks God to deal harshly with the pagan nations destroying the land that God has given to them as well as those who were mocking the very God who had control over the entire situation. In difficult circumstances, like persecution, it is important to keep our focus on the Sovereign Lord, the one who has control over all. God is powerful. He is mighty to save. One of the verses that came to mind while I was reading this passage was Matthew 5:44-44. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..” It is definitely not easy to love your enemies and to pray for those who are persecuting you. It is much easier to pray for those who love you. Right now, you might be thinking, “Ok, why should I be praying for my enemies and why should I love them when they don’t love me?” I think Paul answered that best n Romans 12, when he wrote this, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. (17-21) Do you have any enemies? Have you taken the time and prayed for them?