S = 6:27-28, 31 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
O = Hagar, in Genesis 16 looked with contempt at Sarai her mistress. In return, Sarai was harsh in dealing with Hagar. Later, having fled to the wilderness, at a well she was met by the Angel of the Lord (We believe this to possibly be the pre-incarnate Jesus) who told her to return and submit to Sarai and trust in the God who sees and hears (Hebrew: El ro’i). Here Jesus meets others that are perhaps not treated well by the world and he instructs them as he instructed Hagar centuries earlier. How do you want others to treat you? That is the way you should treat others! Love your enemies…bless those who curse you…pray for those who abuse you!
A = How can I do any less than that now that I have such a great revelation of who God is? How will I do in the storm that is coming that will beat on the house of my life (v. 48)? I think that depends on how well I hear and do God’s Word…which is to believe/trust Him in all situations. Do I treat others the way I would want to be treated? It seems I often think I do better at this than I really do (if I was to ask those around me). Further, do I try to make my own blessing… “to get mine” as the movie says (Remember the Titans) or do I choose to leave that in the hands of God, and in the process show others the love, mercy, and grace that he has shown me.
P = O Lord God, please fill me and empower me to do what I cannot do in my own strength. Produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) in my life to share with others or I will just be someone flailing around with a log in my eye! Without your Spirit working in me, even my attempts to do good will only produce collateral damage. O Jesus, give me clear eyes to believe, to see, and follow you with loving enthusiasm! Amen.
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