Psalms 109, 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. (KJV)

This week we faced quite a bit of persecution and some people threatened that they want to destroy what we are doing. It is sometimes a good thing if people come against you. Because it just drives you closer to the Lord!

But sometimes you might be tempted to react like David did here in this psalm. Unfortunately this is what still happens. People who always curse others often really start experiencing the negative of their own words and experience the curses they speak on others.

When I was reading the few lines of threats and bad words and curses spoken over me, I immediately thought of the words of Jesus:

Luke 6, 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (NIV)

Paul was of course preaching the same message to the church in Rome:

Romans 12, 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (NIV)

So we started praying for those that are threatening to destroy us and spoke blessing instead of curses. God reminded me of the situation Nehemiah faced, when he started rebuilding the walls and all the intimidations came from the enemies of Israel. Nehemiah just kept on working and doing what he was called to do.

He did not let anybody distract him from building the walls and building the Kingdom of God. He knew that the accusations were not true and did not even go there to defend himself. He had no time for this.

Sometimes when things are said about you that are not true, you think you have to go and put it right and let them know that this is not the truth. And the temptation to justify yourself is always there.

But why not choose the Jesus way of doing things?

Matthew 5, 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (NIV)

Rather start praying for those that persecute you. I am sure Paul did not realize that he was not doing the work of God at the time, when he was persecuting the Christians. He thought he was doing God a favor and did not get it, that he persecuted God himself. Because when Jesus appeared to him, it says:

Acts 9, 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. (NIV)

You know, we can just not afford to persecute other Christians! If we do, we persecute Jesus himself. Jesus is living in every one that is Born Again and has received Him by faith. If other Christians speak badly about you, have something against you and try to put you down, you can go reconcile and act according to Matthew 5, 23-24.

But if you have done that and they do not want to reconcile, you better just pray for them. Who would have thought that Paul the great persecutor of the Believers would come to his senses and become one of the greatest Apostles ever? Prayer works!

Don't think about it too long and just move on with the work God has given you and you will see that God is very well able to justify his servants and bring forth His Kingdom in Power!

So today we just move on like the Apostles of old did:

1 Corinthians 4, 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. (NIV)