June 6, Do Good to Enemies

Today’s reading: Psalms 26-30

“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve” - Psalm 28:3-4.

David once again cried out that God would deal with those who were evil. Some are uncomfortable with the psalmists’ cries for vengeance, but at least they were not taking matters of revenge into their own hands! They were crying out for God to do it. What’s more, this set the stage for Jesus’ ministry, whose hallmark was forgiveness toward those same evil people who plagued David and the psalmists:

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:34-36).

Do you have any enemies to whom you can do good today? What can you do that will distinguish you as a follower of Jesus in your kind treatment and attitude toward those who treat you poorly?