WHEN
YOU WAY PLEASES GOD: Devotion for Saturday September 10, 2016
Text:
Genesis 26:26 – 33
Memory verse: Genesis 26:28
Today’s bible passage confirms Proverbs 16:7
which says, “When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be
at peace with him.” This was the case of Isaac in our bible reading of today.
We have seen this happen in so many places. David who killed Philistine giant
and champion Goliath was offered asylum by Achish one of the Philistines kings
who would have seen the coming of David as an opportunity to avenge the death
of their champion but it was not so as he openly and warmly welcomed David and
his men. He didn’t
stop at that, he also gave him the power to choice the place he will stay and
David opted for Ziklag to go out of his daily sight.
The bible asserts that the kings' hearts are
in the hands of God, which, when it pleases Him, turns their hearts to grant
favour to His people. A good man will always be peaceful. That was the case of
Isaac. He never insisted on avenging the unfair treatment he received from the
Philistines. Rather, he chose to forgive them and to enter into a new
relationship and friendship with them.
Our Christian faith teaches and expects us to
be good and friendly neighbours with people in our neighbourhood. It always
expects us to live peaceably with all men as we have in Hebrew 12:14. For what
Isaac did in making forgiving and making peace, providence smiled upon him and God
blessed his labours. This persuaded the people of Gerar to come to Isaac.
With Isaac’s enemies wanting to make a peace
treaty, Isaac was quick to respond, turning the occasion into a celebration. We
should be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. When God’s
influence in our lives attracts people; even enemies, we must take the
opportunity to reach out to them with God’s love. Insisting on wrongs done to
us can never bring God’s blessing upon us. Those that God has blessed and favoured
have enough reason to forgive those that hate them, since they cannot do them
any real harm. Are you willing to forgive those who offended you?
Food
for Thought:
“Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one, makes you even with
him; forgiving it sets you above him” -Nylic Review.
Prayer:
Lord, grant me the heart to forgive those who offend and hurt me in Jesus name.
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