August 5, 2022 – Click here to listen
I don’t know why, but it seems that sometimes my temper explodes. I have been this way throughout my life and, try as I may, it looks as though there is no end in sight. I recently had two encounters with two different unethical people who lied to gain financial advantage and my frustrations came bubbling out like a fountain; check that, they came out like a geyser; check that they came out like the volcano that erupted in Tonga this week.
I ended up being madder at me than them. There are people in the world who have no moral compass whatsoever. I know this. They seem to relish trying to take advantage of people. I just want to live a peaceful life and live in obscurity, but I suppose that is like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. We live in a largely secular world where the dollar is worshipped instead of God, and we are sure to run into them unless we are hermits and sometimes it is akin to hitting a brick wall. When that happens and someone attempts to steal from me it infuriates me, and I want to exact vengeance myself.
The Bible declares that vengeance belongs to God, and He will repay. So, if something belongs to someone and we take it, isn’t that a form of stealing? Doesn’t that make me like the thieves with whom I was dealing or maybe worse because I’m trying to steal from God. I shudder to think of stealing something from God.
Suffice it to say that after reflection on these matters I will leave the vengeance portion of this equation to God. I read one time that deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence. Deep silence and deep prayer work! I’ll try my best to stick to that.
Time and again I have turned matters over to Him that I was more inclined to settle myself with a baseball bat or .357. In the bad old days that is exactly what I would have done, but today I am a follower of Jesus and not a follower of this evil world. He has come through time and again and in most cases His vengeance exceeds what I would have liked to have done. I will leave the vengeance to God and try to live my life on my rural farm enjoying peace, hope, and joy.
We never get even by trying to get even. I just pray that I can maintain that creed throughout my life, and I don’t allow that evil temper to rise. I’ve concluded that vengeance is in reality turning anger in on yourself. On the surface it may be directed at someone else, but it is a surefire recipe for harming yourself. God says Vengeance is mine! I get it.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!