VENGEANCE IS THE LORD’S
Proverbs 24:17-18, 28-29
When people hurt you, it is normal for you to want to pay them back in their own coin. Even when you are restrained from doing just that out of good nature or biblical injunctions and karma brings negative repercussion upon the person, deep within our hearts we are glad and we conclude: “God catch him”. We sometimes justify ourselves with the law that says “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Matthew 5:38-39), forgetting that the responsibility of executing judgment on the part of man is not with us but with the judiciary. All wrongs will definitely be punished, either here on earth or in heaven.
Trying to get even is an action that is against the fundamental law of God regarding love for your neighbour. No matter how painful the hurt is, you are not expected to avenge yourself, doing that is sinning against God. And it is equivalent to assuming and exercising the power of God in judgment. Be that as it may, revenge only brings temporary satisfaction. As a child of God, your conscience will not justify you. Moreover, repaying evil for evil will be adding another evil to the initial one.
Rather than exerting your energy and strength in trying to get even with the person that hurt you, allow God to defend you and fight the battle for you. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. Invite God into the situation in the place of prayer. Hand the matter over to Him and allow God to redress your wrong. God knows the end from the beginning. He therefore knows how best to deal with the situation.
MEDITATION: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans12:17-19).
