"But I tell you,
love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those
who mistreat you and persecute you,
that you may be
children of your Father
who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun to rise
on the evil
and the good,
and sends rain
on the just
and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have?
Don't even the tax collectors do the same?
If you only greet
your friends,
what more do you do than others?
Don't even the tax collectors do the same?" MATT. 5:44-47


When someone hurts you, do you feel like retaliating with force instead of responding in love? God's love does not make us exempt from pain and trouble, but it does heal like no other. His love is your impenetrable fortress of protection when the arrows of hate try to pierce your heart. Rely on the love of God, let it fill you with compassion and peace. Then you will pass his love to those around you—to those who offend you. You may never know when your loving response is the key to another's salvation.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me when I was unlovable. May I love others as you love me. I cannot love others without your love and grace. Love through me. Show me where I am hating instead of loving. Let me live generously and graciously toward every person You put in my path just as you do with me every day.

"He said, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.'" ~ "Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.' Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.'" ~ "Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." ~ "If a man says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
Exodus 33:19; Romans 12:19-20; 1 John 3:13; 4:20