COALS OF FIRE

Today’s Text: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:20, 21)

Today’s Thoughts: What’s your preferred method of dealing with your enemies? Do you sit and contemplate how you will take revenge? In the text just before this one, the Lord says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” (verse 19). Have you ever heaped coals of fire on your enemy’s head? It’s so much fun! That’s the way I like to get revenge – God’s way. And sometimes He steps in and does a little more. But I have to admit, I often feel guilty doing it. Think about it, to have someone get you back is pretty normal, and the cycle continues, that’s how you keep your enemies, but if the one you have harmed does something good in return… ouch. I believe that feels far worse.

Today’s Testimony: I once asked a friend to do me a favour. We weren’t close friends and our friendship had many ups and downs. The favour wasn’t anything difficult and wouldn’t have taken long at all. He was talking to some other friends, and when I asked him, he harshly replied, “No, I’m busy.” It was going to be his birthday that weekend and my sisters and I had gotten him a small gift. It was my task to give it to him, and I was waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Now most people would probably think, “Well, he can forget getting a present from me if he wants to treat me like that.” But me, I played out the rest of the story in my mind and was excited. The Lord had truly given me the perfect opportunity to give him his present.
A short while later when he was alone, I went to give him his gift. He was sitting with his head-phones on. I held it out to him and said, “This is for you from the three of us for your birthday.”
I’ll never forget his sheepish smile as he took his head-phones off and said, “Excuse me?” Whether or not he had heard the first time or whether he was simply in shock I do not know, but I can only imagine how he must have felt after being so rude to me.
He thanked me, and a few minutes later I heard him doing the favour I had asked him to do.
This truly is my preferred method of taking revenge: heaping coals of fire on your enemy’s head. You seriously must give it a try; you’ll feel so good; it’s so much fun.

Today’s Task: Whenever someone hurts you in any way, try to do God’s prescribed method for dealing with your enemies. You’ll honestly be getting them back twice as hard, if not more. You might even gain a friend, or at least lose an enemy. With time, even your worst enemy might soften. I encourage you to try it today if you face an enemy. Pray that God will give you the strength and help you to know how to heap those coals. Don’t give up; make it your preferred and only method of dealing with your enemies.

Today’s Thanks: Lord I thank You that You have given us such an amazing way to deal with our enemies. I thank You that You can help us to heap coals of fire on the head’s of our enemies and leave any further vengeance to You. Lord please help us to lose enemies and gain friends through Your intervention. I love You Lord, Amen.