ESOCS Devotional 13 February 2022
TEXT: LUKE 6:27 – 28
MEMORY VERSE: “But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place ”
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
The opening statement of our Master Jesus Christ is worthy of note: “I say unto you which hear…” It means that there are several persons who are neither willing nor interested in hearing such statements as love your enemies. So many practically block their ears and hearts, as long as messages like this are preached. Others listen to you but completely resolve in their heart never to yield to the content of the message.
The truth is, it is for our benefit to hearken and obey. It is for our benefits to have a positive attitude towards your enemies. An understanding of the following about your enemies may help;
- Your enemy provokes God’s favour and intervention in your life. Psalm 12:5 lends credence to this: “for the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.” What a promise!
- God, who is the voice of the voiceless moves to provide intervention for His people from their enemies.
- Genesis 29:31 confirms that it was after God saw that Leah was hated that he opened her womb.
There are openings in life that you experience only in the environment of hostility and enmity. God is a specialist in taking sides with the hurting and the hated, the isolated and rejected. Therefore, instead of being bitter that there are enemies in your life, begin to thank God for His mercies, which you are to see.
- In your daily devotion, raise one prayer point for the good of your “enemy”.
- Father, thank you for your mercies, which I am about to see. I receive it, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 65:1-16; 43:1-13; John 12:20-36
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 13 February 2022
