Walk Of Life – Day 25, June 2021 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – Fear Not!
FEAR NOT! THE LORD WILL REWARD YOU
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25 : 21,22
Is there anybody in this world who can reward us wholeheartedly? Being filled with the love of our Lord we indeed try to do good to those who have hurt us or did wrong to us. Doing good to personal enemies is right and wise (Pr 25:21). It proves you are a child of God, for you show His general kindness, even to those who hate and mistreat you. It is the best way to treat enemies, for it either melts their hatred or hardens their wickedness. But regardless of their response to your kindness, the LORD will bless you for the deeds.
God’s law to Israel by Moses included kindness to personal enemies (Ex 23:4-5). Lord Jesus Christ has said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt 5:44). God shows daily natural kindness to His enemies, so such actions prove we are the children of God (Matt 5:45). Loving only your friends is proof of nothing, for all sinners do the same (Matt 5:46-47). Perfect men will love their enemies (Matt 5:48).
When natural men, with wicked hearts have personal enemies, they think of revenge. But God condemns such thoughts (Rom 12:17-19; I Thess 5:15). He commands you to treat your enemies well (Lev 19:18; Rom 12:20-21). This has always been the character of godly men (Job 31:29-30; Ps 35:11-14). The Good Samaritan showed great kindness to a racial and religious enemy – a Jew (Luke 10:25-37; John 4:9; 8:48).
Two things happen from such noble action to enemies. First, you heap coals of fire on their heads. Genuine and sincere kindness, unnatural and unexpected, may melt a personal enemy (Pr 15:1). It may draw forth the precious metals of guilt, shame, and repentance.
Genuine and sincere kindness, unnatural and unexpected, may melt a personal enemy (Pr 15:1). It may draw forth the precious metals of guilt, shame, and repentance.
second most important and assuring thing is that it pleases the Lord and He rewards for that. Galatians 6:9 says
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Regardless of whether the world rewards us or not our Lord assures you today that you will be rewarded.
Fear Not! For the Lord will reward you.
