Rare Comradeship

Prepare: Have people hated you without a cause? How have you reacted?
Read: 1 Samuel 20: 1-23

A little boy threw stones at a man on the street and called him names because he had an ugly face. Later the same man walked into his house. The mother told the boy, "Many years ago, he was the one who rushed into our burning house and rescued you. His face was badly burnt in the process and that is why he looks so ugly". People can hate you:

1. With a cause.When you do wrong, when you hurt people knowingly or unknowingly, or because of your failures, people can rightfully hate you. Never let yourself be found in this position.

2. Without cause. Because of sheer jealousy [as in the case of David] people can hate you or because you are more talented or they feel you could compete with them.

3. Because of the cross: The fact that you are a Christian, a child of God, can make you an enemy of the Devil, his kingdom and his people.

The solution: If you are wrong, set yourself right before God and man. Otherwise love everyone, forgive everyone, bless every one, look to God and move on. Let not the hatred of people make you forget the love and acceptance that Jesus has offered to you. Never indulge in self pity. He will fight for you, deliver you and honour you.

Respond: Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your Love...