Today’s passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers%2031-32&version=NIV
This passage reminds me that vengeance belongs to God and God alone. God’s intervention is evident in this battle considering not one of his people was lost in the battle. Clearly this battle was divinely appointed and directed.
Here’s the thing…If God has a plan, it will be carried out. These Midianites had conspired to use their women to turn Israel away from the Lord. They were determined to corrupt God's people and God was not going to let that happen. In this battle, God had His people carry out His vengeance. He instructed the leader of His people to defend the honor, safety and future of his people.
This is not the same as the personal vengeance that is commonly accepted and expected in our culture today. Personal vengeance has its roots in the sins of pride, rage, and jealousy. Due to our sinful nature, it’s pretty much impossible for us to carry out acts of vindication without sinning. That’s why in Leviticus 19:18, it says “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” And Romans 12:17-21 says - “17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
You’ve heard the saying - "The best revenge is living well". Let God impart justice on those who wrong you. Instead, live your life with the light of Jesus shining through you. God can pass judgement much more perfectly than we can. Only He knows all of the circumstances involved. We are here to give glory to God and that’s hard to do when we are swimming in the sins that surround personal vengeance. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lashed back with a comment or action that I regretted. It’s our nature to want to retaliate, but with prayer God can soften our hearts. I encourage you, if you're holding a grudge, to pray about it and ask God to show you how to release it. Please feel free to click the link to the blog below and share your thoughts or experiences.
Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe
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Hey but they aren’t treating me fairly! Don’t they know I’m right? See I don’t start to hold a grudge when I offend someone and I am wrong. When this happens I ask for their forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteNo, we start to hold a grudge when we think we are right and someone offends us. They didn’t follow my advice or they aren't treating me unfairly or God forbid they “gossiped” about me. “How could they say that?”
If a Christian hasn’t offended you yet or you haven’t offended someone, it will probably happen soon. You see, we all have a tendency to mess-up and offend each other. We just need to learn to let it go and give it to the Lord in prayer like Kelly is saying. This is called forbearing with one another. We just overlook the fault or offense toward us. Why do we do this? They are doing the same with us!!! This realization of knowing people are forbearing with me helps me not to hold a grudge toward others!!
This proverb has helped me over the years in this area of forbearing
Prov. 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
No oxen means no mess. I.e. you don’t try to walk with God you won’t have any messes to clean-up nor will you have any increase in your life.
But if you go out and set your mind to walk with God, there is going to be some messes on the barn yard floor and they can be pretty stinky sometimes but remember there will also be much increase in your life too!
I am sturggling with the fact that the person has not stopped doing wrong to me.
ReplyDeleteI know God is in control and I have given revenge for the past things done to me to Him. But sometimes it is difficult in life to keep turning the other cheek. I begin to wonder how long before God will start His wrath on the person doing wrong to me? Why won't God do something about this person who will not stop doing wrong?
Just this morning I was dealing with those thoughts when the DJ on KSBJ read "Trust is the Lord in all your ways and He shall direct your paths."
Lord, help me to trust you in all your ways and not get discourged when I don't see immediate results. Lord, I know you will never leave me nor forsake me and you will be with me and give me your strenth to make it through any wrong that man can do to me. I praise you Lord!
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ReplyDeleteAmen to the comment above...Don't forget Romans 11:33 too - "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" We might not know why He hasn't dealt with your adversary, but we do know that He has a plan and He knows what He's doing!
ReplyDeleteHey anonymous, sounds like you are right on track! Keep doing what your are doing. You can't do it alone, keep asking God for His strength and pray with your Christian friends.
ReplyDeleteI hope this true story helps you.
Years ago there was a Christian girl at New Caney H.S in the Humble area. She was a sophomore and trying out for cheerleading. Some other girls and football players started spreading false ugly rumors about her character at school. She was really hurt. She told her mom, she wanted to transfer to another school. Upon counseling with her pastor, he convinced her to hang in there and come against that spirit with the opposite spirit. To bless those who were spreading these lies. She got her yearbook out and started memorizing all the names of the students. As she walked down the hall, she would say hi and mention their names to them. She would wish them happy birthday and she was friendly to everyone. Did things change for her? Not right away but she didn't give up. She continued to do this through her junior and senior year. In her senior year, the principal came to her and told her this has never happened before. She asked, "What is it?" She had been voted for the Most likely to succeed, the most friendly, the most popular, etc. I cant remember all the categories but she won ALL OF THEM! The principal asked her if she would accept just one award, "Ms. Caney High School" and they would give the other awards to the first runner up. She humbly agreed.
You keep doing the right thing, God will turn it around.