Let God Avenge

In review of Romans 12:19 it says, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will replay,’ says the Lord”

Bottom Line:

Do not take revenge, leave room for God’s wrath. He will avenge.

What this means to me:

I am to not avenge myself, rather give God the place to administer His wrath, for ‘Vengeance is His”.

Today's verse comes from the tail end of Romans 12. In this section Paul provides us with guidance how we should live now that we follow Christ.  First, let our lives be an open and continuous offering for all he has done for us. We should never think of ourselves as being greater than we really are. We all make up the body of Christ needed to serve one another. We should not just pretend to love others, but really love them. We should take delight in honoring each other.

Paul also says, we should rejoice in our confident hope, being patient in our troubles. We are to keep on praying. When we see others in need, we are to be eager and ready to practice hospitality toward them. Instead of cursing those who oppose us, we are to bless them.

Paul closes this part of his letter with, how are are to be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each others. We are to never be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people and think you know it all. Also, we are to never take revenge. We are to leave this to the righteous anger of God. Our response should be to bless those who oppose us. We should not let evil conquer us, but rather conquer evil by doing good.

As I reflect this morning, one that that is for certain, is that I will encounter rejection and betrayal by those around me. I will also encounter bitterness and temptation and very likely a deep desire for revenge. If I’m not careful I can find myself embroiled in a hatred that is all-consuming. I may even find myself feeling the agony of being forgotten by those who have helped me the most.

There is good news. Through the power of Almighty God, it is possible to move beyond my personal tragedies to reach my divine destiny. It is possible to recover from heart-breaking setbacks, to move beyond pain and devastation and to be re-created by the Lord. He can make old things new again and restore that which the enemy has taken.

When I find a need for a new start or new inspiration, all I need to do is to look to Him who sticks closer than any brother, knowing that the battle belongs to Him. Begin to sing a song in my heart, because good things are on the way!.