Day 286 Bible Reading: Jeremiah 21-22, 2 Thessalonians 1, Psalm 83 and Proverbs 25:11-14 
Twenty-five hundred years ago, the psalmist Asaph called on God to defend his nation Israel against those trying to destroy it. He wanted God's action, his involvement, his fire, storm, and terror; he wanted the faces of Israel's enemies to be covered in shame and dismay. Why? So the whole world would know the Lord, He is God of Israel. Today, will God defend you in the same way, destroy your enemies? Surely not! Because Jesus paid their price, Jesus died for them, and God gave Jesus to us and the power of the Holy Spirit in us to forgive and love our enemies as ourselves.
"They say, 'Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!'" – Psalm 83:4 (English Standard Version)
"Lord, I pray for the safety and peace of Jerusalem today. We pray for your agape love and your grace flow through us so that we can forgive and love our neighbor and enemies as ourselves. In Jesus' name, Amen."
