Take Your Enemies to Arby's

DAY 23- Proverbs 25

In today's chapter, verses 21-22 say, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."

This command is completely counter-culture to my own human nature. I don't want to hate anyone, and I am also capable of being cordial to those who have wronged me. But it would take a lot of willpower to go purchase a meal for my enemy. Yet the Bible says that my generosity "will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after me." (The Message)

I think there are two lessons in this passage for me. First, if I find myself in such a situation, by being generous to my enemy, God might use the opportunity to bring him closer to a personal relationship with the Lord. While softening his heart, God might be softening mine as well.

Secondly, I found myself wondering, "What if the roles were reversed and in someone else's eyes I was the enemy?!" I don't know how many people I have wronged, but I can imagine there might be some people out there who consider me an enemy. If ever I am in need and the Lord allows one of them to be the provider of my need, I know how their kindness would make me feel. It's also not hard to imagine how it would feel if he/she refused to help me in my time of need.