Deuteronomy 30:7
“The LORD your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you.”
This verse is a little uncomfortable. We’re used to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44, was said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. This is true. That is to be our attitude toward those that oppose us.
How can this verse help us? It’s a negative motivator to do the right thing. There are punishments doled out for wrongs done. They may not be immediate, but they will come. Hinduism calls this karma. The bible refers to the concept of ‘you reap that which you sow’ (Galatians 6:7).
It’s always better to do the right thing for the right reasons. However, it’s ok to do the right thing to avoid punishment. This might be our initial motivator. We mature into the positive reasons.
Justice is an important concept. We gain peace by knowing it’s present. Our society has a justice system. We don’t expect to be charged for a crime we didn’t commit. While we trust that law breakers will eventually get caught. I understand our system isn’t perfect.
Justice gives us satisfaction that if we play by the rules, we’ll be ok. Conversely, justice tells us that those who cheat the rules will eventually get caught. It’s not that we are celebrating their arrest, but society is better because of the two sides of justice.
On a spiritual level, we are better when we know that we reap what we sow. We can still mourn for those who are caught. Yet, our soul rests when the sowing and reaping process works. That’s how today’s verse applies. It seems harsh in print, but it’s important that this process works. We can “Be the bigger person” and rest in the fact that God is watching and appreciates our efforts. Even if no one else does.
In this focus on justice, it’s important to know that God is merciful. He will give it whenever it’s asked for.
Lord, thanks that You are in control of the very difficult task of reaping and sowing. We rest in that. Thanks also for Your mercy.