1 Kings 19 / Acts 12:1-23 / Psalm 136 / Proverbs 17:14-15
When you get in a fight with someone – family, friend, or enemy – what is the first weapon of choice? Do you run? Do you yell, speak insults, or pout? Or do you attempt to diffuse the situation so it won’t escalate into an all-out war? Everyone is different in how they handle arguments – or as Jeff and I call them – discussions. We don’t raise our voices because we see no point. I can’t say we didn’t raise our voices when we were younger. But we’ve learned a lot over the last 32 years.
In God’s Kingdom our “weapons” are exactly the opposite of what one would expect. Two people yelling at each other won’t bring a solution. Neither will two people who are angry. Or, two people who are fearful. We have the power of Holy Spirit to war against the enemy. But how do we do that? We’ve talked before about our weapons of worship and love. As I read Psalm 136 today, I was aware of our strong weapon of love.
Every other line in the Psalm, throughout the entire Psalm, is His faithful love endures forever. This statement is made in the midst of giving thanks, miracles, creation, delivering His people from Egypt, removing enemies so His people could inherit the Promised Land, and His general salvation of His people. All of the things God does are with His faithful love in mind – My faithful love endures forever.
This is why I see love as both a strength for us as God’s people and as a weapon against the works of the enemy. Do you have someone being evil to you? Pray about how to show the love of Christ – and yes, I realize I’m asking you to do something hard. And again, yes, I’ve been kind to and continued to pray for those who are my enemies. It’s not an easy thing to do but it’s the right thing to do.
Let’s explore what His faithful love is – because you know I enjoy exploring the deeper meaning of words found in scripture.
Faithful love is also mercy. In Hebrew it is hesed (kheh-sed) which means kindness, goodness, favor, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of His creatures. Specifically, this lovingkindness is shown in redemption from enemies and troubles (along with several more, but we’ll stay with this one since we began with two people fighting or arguing).
God in His perfection shows us love at all times regardless of our behavior, thoughts and responses to Him. If God shows love at all times, even to those who are enemies of His, we also ought to show love. When I’m angry – His faithful love endures forever. When I’m sad – His faithful love endures forever. When I’m grieving – His faithful love endures forever. When I’m happy and content – His faithful love endures forever.
No matter what I do or where I go – His faithful love endures forever. And I’m able to access His love any time I need or want to. That’s because His love is always with me whether I recognize it or not. With that in mind, my prayer might be – Lord, awaken my heart to the fact that Your love is always with me, and even within me because of Your Spirit. Remind me to turn to You when I’m having a tough day. I want to receive Your kindness both because I need it and because I want to give it away. Amen!
