For Those Who Seek to Destroy Us--Sept. 27, 2014

Forgiving God, when we are persecuted,

our lives are threatened, loved ones slaughtered,

it is our nature to strike back as we are able--

to slaughter, wreak havoc, destroy our enemies and

their loved ones with the power of the sword.

Paul's reaction to riotous threats from his enemies

was to send for and encourage his disciples.

As for Jesus, who everywhere suffered abuse and

disbelief, he spent his time healing the sick,

not finding ways to pay back his many enemies.

Pray make us act more like Jesus and Paul.

Lectionary Readings  

Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63

Esth. 9:1-32

Acts 20:1-16

Luke 4:38-44

Selected Verses

Ps. 63:9-10

But those who seek to destroy my life
          shall go down into the depths of the earth;
they shall be given over to the power of the sword,
          they shall be prey for jackals. 

Esth. 9:5

So the Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering, and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 

Acts 20:1

After the uproar [a near-riot against the Christians] had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. 

Luke 4:40

As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to [Jesus]; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them.