On Vengeance

 July 21

"Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse."
Romans 12:14

It's not easy to do when you've been hurt by someone. In fact, it's pretty near impossible. But - IF - we confess our desire for vengeance and ask for the grace of God which will enable us, the Lord -WILL- settle our hearts and give us peace.

To forgive does not in any way take away from the injustice or the evil done to you.

Forgiveness is not an emotion. You can forgive while your emotions are still raging. To forgive is to cease from wanting something bad to happen to the ones who hurt you. Consider what was done to Jesus as he lay bleeding, tortured, and dying upon a cross onto which his wrists and feet were nailed. Yet he said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) He knew this scene was the setup of Satan himself, so he forgave the human beings who Satan used to carry out the plan to destroy him.

vs 19-20
"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves,
but rather give place to wrath,
for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine,
I WILL repay,' says the Lord.
Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him,
if he is thirsty, give him a drink,
for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

Always remember that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with the Satanic hordes assigned to destroy us (Ephesians 6:12). Give place therefore, to God to handle the human beings Satan uses. God has promised vengeance if we leave it to him. You can count on it.