justice

One of the lessons of David and Nabal is that if we wait, God will bring justice. When Abigail intercedes with David, she says, “the Lord has restrained you from saving with your own hand.”

How often do we–do I–seek to save with my own hand? In an argument, do I defend myself, or trust for the Holy Spirit to bring perspective to the other person? When I’ve been wronged, do I, like David, “strap on my sword” (1 Sam 25:13), or do I wait on God?

I’ve had varying success with this since I learned the principle of waiting on God, but lately I’ve found it more of a challenge, so this seems like a good time for a refresher. Here are some verses to consider:

• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” (Romans 12:17-19–you might want to also read verse 20).
• Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. (Proverbs 20:22)
• Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” (Provberbs 24:29)
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also… You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:38-39, 43-45)
• See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

And

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12; Peter quotes Psalm 34:12ff)

For those of us who like to know “what’s in it for me” (which is most of us at one time or another), Peter answers our question: I should bless others so that I will in turn be blessed. I want to “see good days,” so I need to control my tongue, speak blessing, do good, and seek peace.

That, of course, is easier said than done, which is undoubtedly why the Holy Spirit saw fit to put this concept in the Bible so many times! Here’s a prayer: Father, my tendency is to take matters into my own hands, to strap on my sword and go for the kill. But you’ve called me to something different, something greater. You have promised in your word that if I wait on you, you will take care of me and set the matter right. You have called me to be a blessing, and so on blessing I set my heart. I commit to practice restraint; Holy Spirit, help me to walk in self-control and patience. I commit to speak blessing, and if I can’t do that, then to not speak at all. And I commit to pray for those who trouble me, annoy me, hurt me, and cause me problems, because Jesus said that I should, and he did it himself. I can’t do this on my own, and I thank you that the power of the Holy Spirit is at work within me to help me choose and do the loving thing. I thank you, Father, that you have not taken vengeance on me, and I want to be like you. I love you, Father, and I want to love others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tagged as: anger, David, God, Jesus, justice, Nabal, prayer, vengeance, waiting