Do you do the right thing? Are you concerned with what is right according to all people? Will you do what is morally right? Are you willing to do the right thing, even if it means allowing someone else to “get away” with something? Will you leave judgment and revenge in God’s hands?
We are often offended, hurt, or even abused by other people. Our immediate reaction is to take revenge on the person. Our culture tells us that we should not allow them to get away with it. Our broken human nature wants to avenge the wrong.
Yet, we are told that it is God’s place to avenge any wrongs against us. We are to trust God to make the final judgment. That goes against our nature and our desire to settle ourselves. But God knows the situation, all the background, and our own desires.
God will take care of the offender. It may be that He punishes the person in a way that we don’t understand. He may use the offense as a means of drawing the other person to Him. Of course, in our state of mind immediately following the offense, that is the last thing we want. This is just one of the ways in which God’s ways are not our ways.
God has a plan for each person. Though we may stray, God can draw us back to Him, no matter the situation. He has the ability to use nearly any situation to draw us to Him. If we continue to turn away, He continues to try through other means.
We may ask, “Why doesn’t God just make the person come to Him?” That isn’t God’s way. He allows us the opportunity to choose Him of our own volition. God wants us to make the choice for Him, but He won’t force us. Yet, He won’t stop seeking us in our various situations.
For those of us who have chosen Him, we are to trust Him. That means we are to allow Him to work in the offenders’ life. We are to allow Him to either avenge the wrong or use it to draw the person to Him. This is the choice God wants us to make, trusting in Him.
I pray we all trust God to handle the situation. I pray we leave revenge in the hands of God. I pray each of us will do the right thing in the eyes of God. Trust God. Do the right thing. Allow God to handle the situation. Be at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:17-19 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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.
Marty Pressey 