Don’t Go There… “Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.” Proverbs 24:29
It’s tempting to retaliate for good reasons, but a righteous cause becomes unrighteous when it is pursued in pride. Perhaps you have been disrespected by a dramatic accusation. You have been insulted by an insensitive board member. You have been slurred by a deceptive competitor. You have been misunderstood by an uninformed friend. Pay back is the plan of the insecure and immature, but prayer is the posture of the patient.
God gives grace to the undeserving. This is the model for Christians to follow. A grace reaction to humiliation is humility. Grace looks in the face of hurt and hatred, and does not hold a grudge. Grace gives grace upon grace. How do you handle mistreatment? What if your daughter, son or spouse is wronged? Grace under fire becomes a glowing light for the Lord. You apply self-control when Christ controls your conscience.
What is the Lord to do when we step in and try to fulfill a role that is His prerogative? If we act like the Almighty’s vengeance is too slow then we need to accelerate our faith. My biggest mistakes are made when I try to take God’s place. Sitting on His throne is never my place; only there am I to crown Him and bow prostrate in awe and worship. This is when its wise to take a step back, breathe a sigh of relief and trust Him.
Don’t go to the place of pay back and emotional accusations. Go instead to God for His grace and peace, and to receive and to give. “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:5). Am I fighting in the flesh or living by faith?
Related Readings: Leviticus 19:18; Psalm 119:61; Matthew 5:39-44; Romans 12:17-21
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
