When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Proverbs 16:7
Protesting has had a presence in the United States since the Boston Tea Party. The Supreme Court has declared it protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which limits Congress from taking action against it. The idealism of youth seems to invite protests on college campuses. Some may recall the protests against the war in Vietnam. Many protested the death of George Floyd during the “summer of love” in 2020. For the past year, the nation has experienced student protests against Israel in particular and against Jews in general. How long will it be before protests are directed at Christians? In some countries, they already are.
In today’s Proverb, King Solomon does not imply that someone who follows the Lord will have no enemies. Just the opposite. Jesus Himself said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). When you are walking with the Lord, when you are being obedient to His Word, when you proclaim His truths aloud in the public square, you will have enemies. Just consider candidates in this year’s election who have taken a stand for the sacred life of the unborn.
Theologian Matthew Henry writes that God “has all hearts in his hand, has access to men’s spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man’s enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission.” When it pleases the Lord to do so, when it is in His eternal purpose, He will bridge the differences between the one who follows Him and the one who does not. Henry reminds you that “God made Esau to be at peace with Jacob, Abimelech with Isaac, and David’s enemies to court his favor.”
Jesus also warned that in the days before He returns again, “Everyone will hate you because you follow me” (Matthew 10:22). When you are criticized, disparaged, railed against, or protested over your faith, do be encouraged. You are doing what the Lord has required of you by living righteously (Micah 6:8). Trust Him with every outcome. You have the backing of the Shepherd and Protector of your life (1 Peter 2:25). Pray for candidates for office who stand for truth and righteousness.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 15:18-27
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
