Marie’s daily verse: 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).

DAILY DEVOTION, August 13, 2024

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

If I were to list the ten most challenging-to-follow passages in the New Testament, Matthew 5:44 would head the list. Love your enemies! Lord Jesus, are you serious? Yes, Jesus is serious. He always speaks the truth. He defines what He means by an “enemy.” Enemies are people who curse you, hate you, use you spitefully, and persecute you. These are the folks we are to love.

What does it mean to “love?” Here, it means to seek God’s blessing on your enemies. You love them because you hope they will turn to Jesus. That will not likely happen if you seek revenge. If you are thinking, “an eye for an eye,” that is the concept Jesus interprets in context.

When we bless our enemies, do good to them, and pray for them, perhaps they will no longer be enemies. If your enemy needs punishment, leave that to God. Loving your enemies may not always turn out how you want, but you are obedient to God, which will always bring us blessings. If you are thinking of an enemy right now, take a moment to pray that God will bless them. Then, sit back and watch God go to work.

I am thinking of one enemy who stabbed me in the back (figuratively!). He is now a dear friend after prayer and the passing of time. It doesn’t always happen that way, but again, those who obey God can’t go wrong.

Father, help me to see that obedience to Jesus is always the right thing to do, even when it seems hard. While following His teaching only sometimes brings about the results I hope for, disobedience has far worse results. Please help me to obey Jesus no matter what. In His name, I pray, Amen.