Tag: Wrath of God

Steer Clear of Revenge

This morning my study of the word “will” continues and I am lead to Proverbs 20 where I find a quick verse related to what I believe is revenge and the need to avoid.

“22Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’;

wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”

— Proverbs 20:22 (ESV)

The thing is that there is also that when wrong is committed against one, their should be justice in kind. Isn’t this a bit of conflicting information found in God’s Word?

“23But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” – Exodus 21:23-25

NO it is not. You see, the in kind justice is just that, justice. In the time of Exodus, the justice was delivered through the justice system of the time. Just as it is today in this world. Justice is delivered through out court systems and following the strict laws of man accordingly.

When I am looking at the verse from Proverbs, I see justice to be carried out by the judge, God. I have to look back at realities that I am not to judge and that I am to leave that up to the LORD to take care. Whether or not someone committed evil against me is not for me to retaliate. I am to give such things to the LORD and give Him glory and honor, knowing and understanding that He will deal with the evil.

Here is the rub that, when I look inward, really gets me through this process of giving things to the LORD for His justice to be delivered. Not only was I wronged by evil and the evil action done to me, but I got my feelings hurt and want an irrational response to get back at the evil. I want to have the evil repaid with evil that was done to me. I want revenge or to avenge. I am not in the mood to wait for the LORD to take action over the course of time, and maybe even after I am long gone. I felt pain and I want to witness the pain inflicted back.

But, I have to remember that the LORD has a plan and my timing is not in line with His. He had a reason to allow the evil to impact me. He has a plan to deal with the evil. He is the judge and will deliver the justice that is deserved and that is in line with His plan. I am to give it all to Him and allow Him to deliver the justice that is due. I have to remember that it is His wrath that I have been saved from and that sin (evil done to me) will feel the weight of His wrath in the end.

Yes, I know that the pain of the evil done will affect the way I think, but I am to steer clear of revenge and love. I am to display love and give the delivery of justice to the LORD and allow Him to do so in His way and in His time. He will deliver me from the pain and fill me with His glory to be shown to the world.

What is your approach when you experience evil done to you? Do you go to the seeking revenge? What if you opened your heart and allowed love out, turning things over to God so that He can deliver the justice according to His plan?

Guarded From the Wrath of God

“22But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.” – Exodus 8:22 (ESV)

The LORD put up a wall of protection for His people so they would not experience the plague of flies. This may seem like a small thing, but the He continued(s) to guard us. Noah built the ark and he and his family were spared. The Israelites were guarded from the flies and other plagues. The Israelites were delivered by way of dry ground to cross the Red sea. St. Paul’s Church, less than 100 yards from the World Trade Center, was spared in New York on 9/11. The LORD continues to guard his people.

Now, I know that some would and have worked to find ways to explain all of these events. And yes, there may be some scientific explanation for them. But, as God created all things, He created the science as well.

“11Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.”

— Revelation 4:11 (ESV)

I am not here to debate the explanations behind how things happened. I am only here to give my thoughts and show that the LORD’s wrath is real and that as a child of God, I am guarded against that wrath. I have been saved by grace and as such have receive everlasting life in heaven. This world is only a place for me to be right now until my times comes to be with the LORD. And, as long as I am here, I will be guarded against His wrath.

What is your position in this world? Are you subject to the wrath of God? What if you were to accept the grace of God through salvation and be guarded against His wrath in this world?