Walk of Life – Day 16 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs – Blessed!
Blessing of Peace with Enemies
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Have you encountered a situation where someone who totally seemed to dislike you suddenly became friends and you end up becoming really good friends.
Enemies, all of have enemies in some form or the other. It may be a very strong word, but many whom we think are friends may actually be working against us. Solomon teaches us a very precious lesson here. Enemies can be calmed, pacified, and soothed by this knowledge. You can use this weapon of dealing with enemies.
The weapon is to live wisely and righteously. Others must be treated right, which brings us peace. This proverb goes a little further. If you live a wise and just life, the Lord Himself will calm agitated enemies and keep you protected from violent ones. The promise is favor with both God and man (Luke 2:52).
When will your ways please the Lord. The Lord rewards a life lived by faith. By living by faith we acknowledge that there is God and that He will reward those who obey Him and seek Him diligently. You need to read God’s Word and follow His Word in everything that you do. A hypocritical life helps no one. Looking like you are obeying God is NOT obeying God. If you do not garner the Lord’s wrath and live a righteous life, you will automatically gain the favor of enemies.
An enemy is anyone who hates you. It may be as mild as a family member having jealousy or envy toward you or as complicated as a psychopath wanting to kill you. In all cases, the Lord controls the hearts of men (Proverbs 21:1). He can restrain their anger or make them more furious. Satan could not touch Job without the Lord’s permission.
Consider certain examples. Laban was a pursuing enemy, God changed him to an agreeable father-in-law. Esau was so angry with Jacob and wanted to kill him but the Lord changed his heart. The Lord gave Solomon peace throughout his reign unlike his father David.
Joseph brought peace and prosperity wherever he went because the Lord was with him. In Potiphar’s house, in the prison, and in the palace, everyone knew that Joseph obeyed the Lord. Daniel prospered under Persian and Babylonian kings. Esther and Mordecai were promoted to the highest positions in Persia. The Romans allowed Paul a rental house and preaching liberty.
When the Lord is for you, no one can be against you. Take courage my friend. The way for peace with enemies is by righteousness and wisdom, never by compromise or revenge. Godly living will please both God and men, but compromise or revenge will bring the wrath of God and the resulting anger of enemies. Put your trust in Him this day, faithfully obey His Scriptures, and fear no man (Ro 12:17-21; II Tim 4:16-18; Heb 13:6).
The Lord Jesus said ” Pray for your enemies” Why should we pray for our enemies? Because Jesus did. He prayed for those who opposed Him, for those who devised evil against Him, and ultimately as He hung on the Cross, Jesus prayed for His Father to forgive all those who had a part in His death—because they didn’t know what they were doing. Jesus modeled unconditional love and how we should pray for our enemies, then commanded us to do the same.
“Prayer is an amazing discipline and privilege. What usually happens when we pray for anyone, is that the prayer acts as a boomerang. God may or may not answer in the way we prayed, but God often chooses to bless and change us as a result of our obedience to pray. It’s hard to stay angry at someone for whom you earnestly pray. Prayer also leaves the consequences, revenge, and complete justice to God. It’s a transference of our will into God’s hands. By praying for our enemies, God’s Spirit can supernaturally show love and kindness through us or another that may ultimately change them. That process can also eradicate our fear of our enemies because perfect love casts out fear. Jesus said not to be afraid of those who could destroy us physically. Instead, we are to fear—a reverent attitude—the One Who determines and fulfills our soul’s destiny.”
