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Proverbs 20:22
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Revenge is Satan’s way of destroying both the innocent and the offender. Once vengeance becomes the motivation, the wounded party can suddenly be swept up in rage and hatred. This poison spreads to everything the vengeful person touches. On earth, we can see that we will never find perfect and complete justice, no matter the “goodness” of the judicial system in place at the time. But God will not only bring justice; he will deliver us: deliver us from the hands of the oppressor and deliver us from the poison of hatred.
My Prayer…
Forgiving Lord, God of all justice and steadfast love, I ask you to be at work in the justice system of my land. Make it more equitable and true. Expose those who buy and sell justice and remove them from power. Deal with the violent and the oppressor with your mighty hand. Please, Lord, by the power of your Spirit, stir me to forgive others and to wait on your justice. Guard me from the poison of an unforgiving and vengeful heart. May my attitude, behavior, and response to those who wrong me help lead them to know your Son as their Savior. In his name, Jesus, that I pray. Amen.
Bible References
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait on the Lord, and He will deliver you.
This verse goes completely against our culture, doesn’t it? In today’s society we are taught to get people back for any wrong they do us, in fact we may even be considered weak if we do not! Well as is always the case, God’s way and the worlds are opposite.
Romans 12:19
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” says the Lord.
You can be sure that when God says He will repay any evil done to us as His children, He will repay! I have actually seen this happen from time to time in life. People who have schemed against me because of my stand for Christ have been dealt with by God. I, however, had to wait on the Lord for deliverance. I don’t know about you, but I hate to wait! I have learned the hard way though that waiting on the Lord is ALWAYS a wise thing to do.
So, what are we to do when we are treated poorly by others. God has an answer for that!
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is many times very difficult to do. But when God instructs us to behave in a certain way, we had better obey for He knows what is best for us. When we overcome evil with good the world notices, they may even ask us how we are able to do so. Then we can tell them about Christ and the love, mercy, and forgiveness that He offers. Jesus is the very example of overcoming evil with good. When He walked this earth He had very few friends, most people rejected Him, plotted against Him, mocked Him and then nailed Him to a cross. What was His response, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we can have this kind of love for our enemies as well, but it is a choice that we have to make.
Father God, thank You for your eternal love for me. Thank You for sending Jesus, Your one and only precious Son, to this wicked world to die for my sins. Help me to exhibit Your love and grace to those in my world each day, for Your glory Abba, Amen!