Evil Returns Evil for Kindness

Psa 105:39-41 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. (40) They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. (41) He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.

The Lord’s kindness to Israel was amazing. Deliverance from bondage in Egypt, provision of a land flowing with milk and honey, protection from enemies…the list goes on and on. He chose them when they were nothing and enacted His covenant with them, giving them His Law and a promise of tremendous blessing for obedience.

In return, the Israelites gave evil. They turned to false gods, they broke every commandment, they wanted nothing to do with the Lord.

Returning evil for kindness is a characteristic of evil. It is what the wicked do. You can be incredibly kind to a man or woman like this, and eventually they will repay you with evil. That is what so many of you have experienced in your history of dealing with an evil spouse or family member. If only, you thought, you poured out kindness and love upon them, surely they would repent and love you.

Nope.

That is not how evil works. The narcissist, the sociopath, the reviler, the abuser…return evil for kindness shown them. No one is more kind to sinners than the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet look what payment He received back from them. Don’t be surprised when it happens to you.

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