Save Us! by Diane Roberts

Psalm 79

We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. (Psalms 79:4)

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

Have you ever misinterpreted a verse (or more) from the Bible? I think we all have at one time or another. Sometimes, it is an innocent misunderstanding. When I was in junior high, I suddenly became a favorite target of a girl at school. I didn’t know her and didn’t understand why she chose me. I did, however, remember part of a verse from Proverbs and decided that was my solution. I would be friendly, smile, and speak to this girl every time I saw her because I would be heaping "burning coals of shame" on her head. I was only concerned that she was being mean to me, and I wanted her to stop. You can imagine her reaction when I started smiling and greeting her like an old friend! I’m sure she could see the false smile and friendliness. It may have even been a bit frightening because she began avoiding me whenever she saw me. I was triumphant. I had "followed the Bible" and won a victory over my "enemy." I really don’t believe such childish acts are what God is looking for in this scripture. God wants us to turn enemies into friends. God wants us to show others how true believers treat others.

In the verse from Psalms 79, the people are crying out to God because they have become the object of contempt, scorn, and derision to their neighbors. This is not because of childish actions. This is because they are following the true God. Yes, they have failed in the past, but they are looking for forgiveness and for God to reach out and show these contemptuous neighbors that they belong to God. While miraculous action by God might change these neighbors quickly, God wants us to be hands and feet, to show compassion, even to those who ridicule us. We do this not to "heap coals of shame" on them but to show them another way. To draw them to the God we love and follow.

In this world, as we see the many ways people are mistreated—social media, personal interactions in stores, and even neighbor-to-neighbor—how can we change the script and respond with kindness and love? Perhaps, as we go through this advent season, we can be the voice of kindness and love to those around us who are hurting from the contempt, scorn, and derision of the world around them.

Diane Roberts