Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Give – Proverbs 25:21-22 – If Your Enemy Is Hungry – Growing As Disciples
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV)
It’s Your Move
Will you take the first step? Will you make the first move? What first step? What first move? Will you reach out to your enemy? Will you do something extraordinarily nice for someone who regards you as their enemy? Will you think deeply about the needs of your enemy and then go meet them? That sounds quite risky? I don’t even want to get close to my enemy. I would much prefer to keep a safe distance from my enemy. I did not ask you about your preferences. I asked you if you would make the first step and take the first move to do smoothing extraordinarily nice for your enemy. Is that what you are asking me to do? Is that what you want me to do for you? Yes, that is what I want you to do for me? What if my enemy spurns my efforts? What if they reject my outreach? It would be humbling enough to do something nice for my enemy. Why is that? They certainly wouldn’t deserve anything nice from me. My enemy has continually tried to harm me. They have attacked me at every turn. I have been deeply hurt and wounded by my enemy. They have caused me a great deal of pain. Why should I have to make the first move. I am the aggrieved and innocent party. You think so? Well, I may not be totally innocent.
You are right. There is no good reason for you to do something extraordinarily nice for your enemy except that I am asking you to do this for me. Were you not once living as my enemy? Yes, I once lived as your enemy. Did you deserve all that I have done for you? No, I did not and have not deserved all that you have done for me. Did you readily accept me? Didn’t you initially spurn my efforts to reach out to you? Yes, I did initially spurn what you had done for me. Didn’t I humble myself and die on the cross for you? Yes, you died on the cross for my sins. Are you willing to humble yourself and do what I am asking of you? Yes, I am willing to go and do what you are asking of me. I will humble myself and offer my service to my enemy. That will be very good. In humbling yourself you will be my witness. Your enemy will see my love shining through your life. They may even become my follower and your friend. Wouldn’t that be spectacular? We could celebrate that together. Yes, that would be quite a celebration. It’s your move.
Lord, I want to be a vibrant witness for you. Help me to reach out to anyone who regards me as their enemy. Show me how you I can express your kindness to even those who are my enemies. Help me to turn enemies into friends as I help them with their needs. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Give – Proverbs-25-21-22 – If Your Enemy Is Hungry – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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