DCLM Daily Manna May 29, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi – Avenge Not Yourself

Topic: Avenge Not Yourself [Monday May 29, 2017]

Text: Proverbs 25:16-28

Key Verse: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink" (Proverbs 25:21).

The story is told about Jane, a persecuted but non-vindictive and non-retaliatory Christian young lady somewhere in Africa. She sometimes left her clothes on the washing line at the back of their residence. Whenever she went for fellowship or evangelism, her hostile neighbours would never help her pack them inside, perchance there was rain.

They never saw anything good in Jane. They maligned, slandered and vilified her whenever she was not at home. It happened, however that one day, Jane was at home reading her Bible when rain started threatening and some of her neighbours left their clothes outside. When she looked outside through the window and saw the clothes, she quickly ran to help pack them inside. When they came back and saw what she had done for them, they were humiliated by shame because, they had never helped her to pack her clothes away from rain. It was Jane’s turn to take her own pound of flesh, but she refused to go on a mission of vendetta.

There and then, these her neighbours told her that the next day they would go to her church, should she invite them. The precept to love everyone including our enemies is an Old Testament commandment, sanctioned by our Lord Jesus Christ. He has shown His own example by praying for His enemies on the cross. Believers are commanded to overcome evil with good, rather than allowing evil to overcome them. We are to literally "lavish" our enemies and persecutors with kindness. Seek no vengeance. Commit your cause into God’s hand, however hurt you may be, just as Jane had done to her hostile neighbours. Do not allow a retaliatory spirit to have a place in your life.

Our Lord and Saviour exhorts us not to resist evil, but "whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also". We are enjoined not to rejoice when our enemy falls and we should not let our hearts be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord sees it and it displeases Him.

Thought for the day: "Wisdom is overcoming evil with good deeds."

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 4-5

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.