Vengeance
The word carries with it “punishment or retribution exacted for an injury or a wrong”. Unfortunately I see this a lot in our culture where someone wants vengeance or revenge upon another. This can be quite ugly and sometimes out of control.
The Lord has not forgotten what the people of Midian had done to His people. They camped near them and that where Balaam and his talking donkey got involved. They seduced some of the people to their ways and the Lord punished a large group of them on the spot. The people of Israel are about to move into the Promised Land and Moses will not be allowed to go. Check this out…
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.’ (Numbers 31:1-2 NIV)
Moses ended up sending about 12,000 fighting men to Midian and the people of Israel completely defeated them. The Lord then gave Moses instructions as to how the spoils of war were to be divided.
Vengeance can be an ugly fit for people to wear. It is most causes blind rage and illogical thinking. The Lord has taught me some hard lessons on this subject. I always want to get even or get back on someone who’s harmed me. The Lord promises that He will handle that. Revenge is often synonymous with vengeance. They can be destructive upon my heart and the Lord promises to help if I will trust Him. Check this out….
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. (Romans 12:19 NIV)
The Lord takes responsibility for revenge or vengeance so that I don’t have to.
He will protect and defend my honor.
He will protect and defend my heart.
I can get into a bad place when I try to handle this on my own. I would be wise to trust the One Who holds the world in His hand to protect and defend my honor and my life. Revenge can destroy me from the inside out. It often comes out of bitterness and hatred and can find a home in my heart if allowed.
I must trust the Lord with this even though it’s much easier said than done.
Pressing On!
Dwayne