Imagine being engaged in spiritual battlefields where you are under severe attack. God has shaped you for greatness to do what’s desperately needed, but it’s never yet been done. As you lead with boldness, some feel threatened, and the enemy launches assaults attempting to take you out.
While under attack, messages come from within and around tempting you to fight back. Take out the enemy. Destroy them in your minds or with your words. Form alliances against them. Divide and conquer. Run. Hide. Quit. Get even.
Before giving into temptation, you slip away long enough to inquire of the Lord. He walks you back in history when David was being hunted down by his father-in-law, King Saul. David saved and rescued the vulnerable people Saul was about to kill, but they turned on David and betrayed him. When Saul’s armies were repeatedly engaged in a black ops mission to kill David, David repeatedly inquired of the Lord. He didn’t give into temptation. He didn’t take Saul out with Goliath’s sword. No. He did the opposite. David killed Saul with kindness. Why? Because he was a man after God’s own heart. He was being Jesus to his enemy, and so should we. It was David’s mercy that restored Saul’s heart.
Listen to the words King Saul spoke to David through his tears. “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been wonderfully kind to me today, for when the LORD put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and Israel will flourish under your rule.” (1 Samuel 24:17-20 NLT)
Although we’ve given into temptation many times, I’m reminded today of Jesus’ powerful words that He taught us to pray. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13) Not only will the Lord deliver you, His kingdom will flourish when you respond to your enemies with wonderful kindness. When God’s anointing and spirit is upon you, no army or weapon formed against you will harm you. Keep seeking the Lord with all your heart. Don’t shrink back from your God-calling! Seize the opportunities God gives you this day to demonstrate His wonderful kindness to your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your enemies, and to yourself. I want to close today’s blog with a prayer for you that came from a man from Jesus’ inner circle who was repeatedly attacked and tempted. “May you have more and more of God’s special favor and wonderful peace.” (1 Peter 1:2b)