At a purely practical level, one of the hardest teachings in scripture to put into practice is revealed in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Although it is challenging, obeying this command can have truly amazing results when it comes to healing damaged relationships. Case in point… In
I Samuel 24, David is running for his life and hiding in a cave to escape the jealous wrath of King Saul when, one day, Saul shows up in said cave to relieve himself. [Saul had wantonly chased David, bent on killing him for no other reason other than his own paranoia.] Rather than capitalize on the opportunity to do away with an avowed enemy, David chose only to cut off a piece of his garment. When he let Saul know he could havetaken his life, but did not, and then produced the swath of Saul’s robe as proof…
Saul wept aloud and said to David, “You are more righteous than I. You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me of the good you did to me… you did not kill me… When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed [rhetorical question]? May the Lord reward you well for the way you have treated me today.”
Do you see it? Love has amazing power. It doesn’t always have the kind of immediate results we see here, but over time it has tremendous power to break down dividing walls between people who belong together!
Pray with me… Heavenly Father, David overcame evil with good. We have the same power available to each of us as your children. May we tap that power today by initiating loving-kindness with everyone and improve the prospects of reconciliation with a new beginning for more than a few. In the Name above every name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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