Revenge
Revenge is “to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit”. Revenge can be destructive to the person in the path of revenge as well as destructive to the person exacting the revenge. Revenge carries with it some very negative and self-destructive baggage. I have first-hand knowledge about how revenge hurts the one holding the grudge or acting in a vindictive manner toward another who has harmed them. In my case, I was hurt way worse than the other person because inwardly I was a hurting and angry person wanting the other person to hurt like I was.
Two brothers decided to take revenge on behalf of David, who was working hard to not be vindictive toward Saul and his family. These two guys sneak into the house of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul and kill him while he was sleeping. They cut off his head and flee to Hebron where they think David will be excited and possibly give them a promotion. They could not have expected David’s response. Check this out….
9 But David said to Recab and Baanah, “The Lord, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness. 10 Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! 11 How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?” (2 Samuel 4:9-11 NLT)
I think it’s very important to forgive those who have harmed me or tried to harm me. I must let the Lord take care of me and protect me from others. I think vengeance is God’s area of expertise. He will protect me and provide the help I need when I’m under attack. My role is to seek Him and trust Him and let Him defend me at all times.
I believe vengeance is alive and active in our world today. People try to even the score themselves instead of forgiveness and trusting the Lord with settling the score. I am healthier and fuller of joy when I keep revenge far away from me. Revenge is a first-rate tool of the enemy who seeks to destroy me from the inside. The Peace the Lord gives helps me keep my heart clear of revenge.
Pressing On!
Dwayne