Getting Even

          I had a short reading for the devos today.  Just Proverbs 24 and Psalms 24.  Although as usual I always get something out of even the smallest reading.  What I got out of today’s readings for myself is about revenge.  There are times that you are wronged or at least feel as though you have been wronged and you feel as though it is your right to even up the score at the very least.  That is where this verse hit home with me.

Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to them as they have done to me;
I'll pay them back for what they did."

          
          I am sure we have all been there, but if we are reading our Bible we know that it is not our responsibility to exact justice on our own behalf.  

Romans 12:19 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.

          With that in mind I thought back to a few verses before Proverbs 24:29 and remembered how we are to respond when God does step in on our behalf and exact vengeance on those that oppose us.

Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,

Proverbs 24:18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.

          We need to keep in mind that we are all children of the same God and should not be rejoicing when the Father disciplines another for they are lost and in need of correction.  In stead we should be aware of their situation and pray for them to learn from such situations that they too might come to know God and enjoy an eternal life of joy and happiness that all who believe will be sharing come that day.