Don't Buy It!

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 25-26

Scripture Focus: Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 25.17)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever been the target of a vindictive attack on your character? Have you ever been hurt deeply by another's cruelty or abuse? Have you ever fallen prey to a financial scam? Have you ever had your heart broken? If so, then you know the wisdom of what the Lord said to the Israelites through Moses: "Remember what Amalek did."

The story is told in Exodus 17. Unprovoked and with cruel intent, "Amalek came out and fought with Israel" (Exodus 17.8). God had told them that he would "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17.14). Now, God told the Israelites to remember the abuse Amalek had inflicted upon them, in essence telling them to wipe out the evil regime. Why? Why not forgive and forget?

Implicit in the story of Amalek and Israel is the understanding that the evil regime had not changed, that their intention was still to do harm even after Israel initially defeated them. "The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation" (Exodus 17.16).

Two things stand out:

• In our spiritual battles, we must not allow the enemy to co-exist in our lives. We must be done with the kingdom of darkness and with its control and power in our lives.

• Just as importantly, in our earthly relationships, we must recognize that some hurts go so deep, some intentions are so cruel (though hidden), some attitudes are so unchanged, that we must not forget them. To do so would endanger ourselves and others around us. Forgive? Of course! Forget? Of course not.

Amalek may have said, "But, we've changed." God, however, said, "Don't buy it. Do not let them threaten to undo you."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have forgiven my sins. Thank you that you also know how far you can trust me. Help me to be forgiving like you but not to open up myself and others to harm by trusting one that I should not trust. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 24.7-10

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! Selah