February 5th

Arthur W. Pink in his Life of David, ² has this to say:

By nature there is a spirit in us that is turbulent, revengeful,
and desirous of returning evil for evil; but when we are able to
deny it, we are ruling our own spirit. Failure to do so, being
overcome by passion, is moral weakness, for our enemy has
thoroughly overcome us when his injuring us prevails to our
breaking of God’s law in order to retaliate. Therefore we are
bidden, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
(Rom. 12:21) Then is grace victorious, and then do we manifest a
noble, brave, and strong spirit. And wondrously will God bless
our exemplifications of His grace, for it is often His way to
shame the party that did the wrong by overcoming him with the
meekness and generosity of the one he has injured.”

How about evil things that happen in your life? … Gossip about you or your family? … Do you retaliate or try desperately to defend yourself? God says to let Him handle it … Dishonesty which results in your loss? Do you do something just as dishonest to get even? This is God’s business. You are His servant. How about persecution for Jesus Christ? … Do you argue and lose your testimony? Let God handle it. Let Him take care of everything … your safety, your self-esteem, everything. Has a friend betrayed you? … Give your anger and frustration to God. His wrath is sufficient for the occasion. You need not vent your own anger.

Romans 12:17-21 is pretty clear talk! We do not see beyond our noses in these situations. We do not know the hurt, the habit, the motives of the person who hurt us, but the Lord knows all this and more … He knows our own contribution to the situation. Do you see that, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men,” included among these verses on vengeance? Do we not often look at what has happened from our own point of view alone, not even being honest with ourselves, but seeking to justify our own feelings and actions?

Often our own previous actions might have brought about the reaction on the part of the offender which brought about our own hurt! Let’s face it; our testimony for Christ is at stake when we retaliate, no matter what the provocation. The closer we get to the Lord, the less we will be concerned about the things which come against us, because we know that God is in charge.

DELIVERANCE

Thy comfort, Lord, is cooling mist
Upon my fevered brow.
Thy hand upon my clenched fist
Relaxes me somehow.
Thy presence washes all the stain
Of doubt and guilt away.
As I confess, Thy gentle rain
Of mercy helps me pray.

Thy love, 0’Lord, encircles me
Until my soul doth know
That once again there’s victory
O’er any earthly foe
When I but channel all Thy love
Into that hostile heart
Until Thy Spirit’s heavenly dove
Doth blessed peace impart.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to react to hurt with the fruit of Thy Holy Spirit instead of retaliation.

² Pink, Arthur W., The Life of David, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids MI.