TOPIC: Loving The Unlovable (DCLM Daily Manna 29 August 2023)
KEY VERSE: “If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him” (Exodus 23:5).
TEXT: Exodus 23:1-9 (KJV)
1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
4 If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
MESSAGE:
A minister of the gospel was driving in his car when another vehicle hit him from behind. The offending man pleaded that they should not call the Police, promising to take care of the damage incurred. As soon as they left the place and seeing there was no evidence to prove his wrong, the fellow told the man of God that he was not going to repair the car as earlier promised. The man of God thanked and blessed him, forgave him and drove away.
Israel, being the people of God were instructed in our passage today not to spread false rumours, follow the multitude to do evil, bear false witness and not to forbear from helping in returning a straying animal to its owner even though he may be an enemy. They were not to pervert judgment, receive bribes or oppress the fatherless, widow or stranger.
The command to love men including one’s enemies has been from old. Loving God with the whole heart and loving one’s neighbour as one self is His cardinal commandment. Joseph demonstrated it to his brethren. The parable of “the Good Samaritan”, as the Lord told us, shows that everyone, including those who hate us, is “a neighbour”. The carnal nature in man is always opposed to this position and action. However, the Scripture says, “the merciful man doeth good to his own soul” (Proverbs 11:17).
Medical science has proved that doing good to persons irrespective of who they are activates the joy hormone in the brain and leads to peace of mind and improved health; but one must first be saved for this to be possible. So then, let us do good to all men, loving even the unlovable.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Do good to all and be blessed of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 51–60
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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