Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - GOOD FOR EVIL

Day 54 - (Today’s Bible readings 1 Samuel 24; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-23)

 

GOOD FOR EVIL 

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” (1 Samuel 24:17 ESV) 

David finds himself in the position to exact revenge on his tormentor, King Saul. However David does is not interested in pay back. 

“Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’” (1 Samuel 24:10 ESV) 

An amazed Saul responds to David’s mercy and respect by saying, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” 

The key to David’s honorable lack of returning evil with evil was his faith, trust and obedience directed to God. He knew what Peter would later write is absolutely true. Blessings do not flow from evil. 

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9 ESV) 

May you and I, as followers of Jesus, always respond to evil with His goodness! 

Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness and mercy showered upon me in spite of the evil ways I have treated you. As you have responded to my sin with the goodness of Jesus, so may I respond to evil done to me with Your love showered on me from His cross. In Jesus’ good and saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:

https://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!