November 28—A Pearl for Today
“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; And let those who hate Him flee before Him” (Ps. 68:1 NASB).
HOW TO TREAT AN ENEMY
One day I wrote the following prayer to the Lord. “Lord, be moved against our enemies and be moved against Your enemies, and I hope they are the same.”
God has offered much wisdom and given many commands on how we are to respond to our enemies. Romans 12:19: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Solomon’s example in 1 Kings 3 is worth considering. Solomon could have asked anything of the Lord at the outset of his kingship. He asked for wisdom, essentially telling the Lord, “I am like a little child who does not know his way around. Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong” (see 1 Kings 3:8-9).
The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request. He was pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom and did not ask for long life, great riches, or the deaths of his enemies. You wonder if Solomon perhaps considered asking for these three … but it is significant that he did not ask for them.
God gave Solomon, unconditionally, a wise and understanding mind—plus riches and honor! Conditionally, God also gave Solomon the promise of a long life if Solomon would follow Him and obey His commands.
God equates asking for the death of our enemies to asking for riches and long life. None of these requests please Him. Because Solomon did not ask for them, God also promised riches and honor.
Imagine what might have happened if Solomon had asked for the deaths of his enemies. If God had obliterated Solomon’s enemies, no one would have resisted Solomon’s efforts as king. Solomon would have received the glory for building a successful kingdom all by himself, without God’s help. Solomon did not ask for the lives of his enemies. He left the revenge to the Lord. He was wise, and God was pleased!
Ask rightly and ye shall receive.
