Imagine two neighbors - Sam and Mike. Sam is building a pool house that just so happens to be on Mike's side of the property line. Mike let Sam know but that ended up in a shoving match with Sam saying he doesn't care what his neighbor thinks. Construction has continued unhindered. Several weeks later, Mike is out jogging and sees Sam riding his bicycle up ahead. Determined to avoid his annoying neighbor, he pulls down the visor on his cap and focuses on the asphalt. That is until he hears a crash. He looks up and sees that Sam collided with a car and is lying down on the sidewalk, holding his head.
What should Mike do? Should he keep jogging or stop to check on Sam?
He might be tempted to let Sam suffer given how he reacted when told he was violating property boundaries, but God's word requires something different. Proverbs 25:21-22 - 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.
What does this mean? If Mike believes Jesus is the Son of God and has given his life to Christ, then God's word requires that he forgive Sam and even pray for him long before this incident. And, as he sees the man lying there post-accident, he needs to check on Sam, ensure medical services are called, and stay with him until the police and other first responders arrive.
The average person would think what happened to Sam was well-deserved. However, God wants His people to behave and think like citizens of His kingdom, not residents of this world. Jesus said believers are not of the world (John 17:14;16). He also taught believers to treat others as they want to be treated, expressing the love they receive from God to others. The Bible shows that the Christians regularly inconvenienced themselves in an effort to emulate Jesus and put their faith on display.
When a believer applies the Lord's word and shows kindness to their enemies, they experience another pathway to God's reward. He cannot help but bless such a person for not being petty or seeing Sam's accident as an opportunity to retaliate.
God wants to bless those who believe in Him and His Son. He knows that living accordingly is not always easy and has provided His Holy Spirit to help. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to discern the godly thing to do. Most times, this will be counter-intuitive and seem difficult due to personal biases and worldly understanding. Yet, when the Holy Spirit has His way in a person's life they enjoy God's favor, supernatural blessings, and increase. They receive the rewards of God in all areas of their lives.
It is the Holy Spirit who will ensure that a believer is not further abused by their enemy. Sure, that person may think the believer is a fool when they see them doing the godly thing. A wicked person will try to leverage this to do more evil to the believer. But God has promised to protect His own, thus when obeying God's word and walking with the Holy Spirit, there is no need to fear maltreatment. God's word cannot be broken and He promised that all things will work for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
By obeying the Holy Spirit's leading, the believer displays their love for the Lord and walks in His purpose, thus qualifying for the promise of Romans 8:28. Therefore, no matter what an enemy does, the believer will be rewarded and, per Psalm 91:8, will see the punishment of the wicked. Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
God knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). It is for this reason He has created various pathways to receive His rewards. He desires to bless people and is especially invested in rewarding all who choose Him and submit to His word. There is healing in Him. Sound mind, success, peace, and rest can only be accessed through Him. He has the silver and the gold in His hands and gives it to His own to care for their needs as He deems fit. He transforms families and even nations as He wills. Choose God, give your life to His Son, and receive the Holy Spirit so you have heavenly assistance in all things and receive the rewards God has for you. Make the right choice today.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for another opportunity to gather with like-minded believers to worship and pray for others. Thank You for the grace and kindness You showed in allowing us to serve You this day.
Thank You for the love You showed us whereby we could honor You this way. To You be glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.
Father, as we go our separate ways, I pray for Your continued grace and mercy to rest upon today's participants. I pray for each of them to experience Your special touches throughout the day. I pray that they will return to testify of Your goodness and the rewards they reaped through obedience to You, IJMN, Amen.