SATURDAY 15TH JULY 2017 MORNING
2 Kings 6:18-23 New International Version (NIV)
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
Elisha showed kindness and hospitality to the enemies of Israel who had been attacking Israel. This caused the enemies to change their attitude and stop attacking Israel.
Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for them. May God help us to have wisdom as to how to react when we are treated badly by those who despise or hate us.
JUMAMOSI TAREHE 15 JULAI 2017 ASUBUHI
2 WAFALME 6:18-23
18 Na walipomtelemkia Elisha akamwomba Bwana, akasema, Uwapige, nakusihi, watu hawa kwa upofu. Akawapiga kwa upofu sawasawa na neno la Elisha.
19 Elisha akawaambia, Njia hii siyo, na mji huu sio, nifuateni mimi, nami nitawapeleka kwa mtu yule mnayemtafuta. Akawapeleka Samaria.
20 Hata walipokwisha kuingia Samaria, Elisha akasema, Bwana wafumbue macho watu hawa, wapate kuona. Bwana akawafumbua macho wakaona; kumbe! Walikuwa katikati ya Samaria.
21 Naye mfalme wa Israeli alipowaona, akamwambia Elisha, Ee baba yangu, niwapige? Niwapige?
22 Akamjibu, Usiwapige; je! Ungetaka kuwapiga watu ambao umewatwaa mateka kwa upanga wako na uta wako? Weka chakula na maji mbele yao, wapate kula na kunywa, na kwenda kwa bwana wao.
23 Basi akawaandalia chakula tele; nao walipokwisha kula na kunywa, akawaacha, wakaenda zao kwa bwana wao. Na vikosi vya Shamu havikuja tena katika nchi ya Israeli.
Elisha alionyesha upendo na ukarimu kwa maadui wa Israeli. Maadui waliitikia vizuri na waliacha kushambulia Israeli.
Yesu Kristo alisema tunapaswa kupenda maadui zetu na kuwaombea pia kutowalipa kisasi. Mungu atupe hekima ya namna ya kutiikia kwa watu ambao wanaonyesha chuki na ukatili kwetu.
