Love Our Fellow Americans

How do we return to loving our fellow man? Our fellow Americans, neighbors, friends,

coworkers, and family members?

What’s Happening?

This morning, as I prepared for After God’s Own Heart (a Bible study available on my website: www.Praying-Prodigals.com), I read Psalm 17. I immediately compared what David lived through thousands of years ago with what we experience today. The news is overflowing with profane verbal wars, name-calling, death threats, physically damaging encounters, and murderous acts by those who disapprove of the opposition’s beliefs or actions. There is no conscience, no filter, and no holds barred. On the contrary, nearly every day, someone new encourages more people to do the same.

How Do We Return

Why? No one gets their way 100% of the time. It’s wrong to expect it because that doesn’t reflect a caring attitude toward others' needs. Does equality only apply when it concerns our own desires or beliefs? Have we lost basic consideration and empathy for others? Do we have no compassion, to the point of ravaging people’s reputation with words or their lives with harm and even murder? How did we get here? And the larger question is:

How do we return to loving our fellow man?

Our fellow Americans, neighbors, friends,

coworkers, and family members?

David Didn’t Match Evil With Evil

David was concerned for his life at various times from different people. Those who claimed to be friends, and even his own son, Absalom, opposed him, tracked him, and wanted to kill him. Why? Some motivations include jealousy and desire for power, fueled by hearts filled with evil.

This is the crucial part of David’s historical account that we cannot miss. David didn’t attack Saul even though Saul wanted David dead and actively pursued that end. David didn’t kill Absalom. As a matter of fact, he also directed Joab not to kill Absalom. Joab didn’t adhere to David's wishes and killed him anyway. But the point is this: David didn’t match evil with evil. Instead, he cried out to God for protection, help, rescue, and refuge. David left the fate of his enemies in the hands and plans of the Lord, and cried out to God to examine his heart. He desired the promise of eternity in heaven over temporary worldly victory.

David didn’t match

evil with evil.

As we know, David wasn’t a perfect man. He committed some glaring atrocities, but he suffered consequences, repented, and was considered a man After God’s Own Heart. None of us is sinless, but we can be so much better than we are right now.

Pursue God’s Own Heart

As harsh, brutal words increase, more people engage in unacceptable behavior. I can judge or change only myself. But it is our responsibility, as Christians, to remind one another to adhere to God’s expectations of us. If we follow David’s example and pursue God’s Own Heart, HE will fill us with His Spirit and equip us to resist retaliation. Listen for His voice of peace and love.

~Lisa Pritchard

Prayer

Dear Father God, when I  am packed with emotional desperation as David was in Psalm 17, remind me to fall at Your feet and leave my concerns with You. Nothing happens that You don’t see. You are the judge, Father, not me. Keep me from desiring revenge for those who hurt me or others, let me not speak foully about others when they threaten harm. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I do not repay evil with evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I don’t typically include an entire study sheet in my blog, but today I am including all except the guest response, which will be included in January in the regular study lineup. I hope all readers will participate, and if you are so inclined, send me your responses at prodigalsprayers@gmail.com.

Directions:

Pray and ask God to speak to your heart as you read Psalm 17.  Make a chart with three columns and label them, “God”, “I”, and “Wicked/Others/People”. Categorize each action and/or description in the chapter in the appropriate column. Then respond to the Reflection prompts.

Reflection

1.      Look up 1 Peter 3:9, Romans 12:17 and 21. How do they relate to David’s response to opposition and teach us about how we need to respond?

Peter 3:9 "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" (NIV). 

Romans 12:17 "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone" (NIV). 

Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (NIV). 

2.      What does this verse mean to Christians? Deuteronomy 32:35 (KJV): "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." 

3.      Read this verse.  Does this verse bring you comfort?  Why or why not?

Psalm 56:8 (ESV) "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"