Considering how divided this country is, I urge everyone to allow God’s love to guide their hearts. We will not agree on everything, but we should respectfully agree to disagree. Despite whatever somebody does to you, do not allow it to make you hate anybody because of their political views, religious beliefs, or personal preferences. Be careful what you pray for because when you ask God to harm somebody you hate, you bring damnation to your soul. Let us strive to love others despite their hateful actions.
Although King David prayed many prayers in the Book of Psalms, pleading for God to fight against his enemies, God tells us vengeance belongs to Him. (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19, ESV). In this chapter, He tells us to hate what is evil, but that does not mean to hate who is evil. Then He says to hold on to what is good. It fills the heart with joy and fulfillment to peacefully coexist with others. However, some people make this challenging to carry out.
David had many enemies. Among them were the Philistines, and even Saul was one of them. He became jealous of David when the crowd declared that Saul killed his thousands and David had killed ten thousand. (1 Samuel 18:7). On several occasions, Saul attempted to kill David. With so many enemies, it might seem logical that David would defend himself. In many of his Psalms, David asked the Lord to pour his wrath or judgment on his enemies. (Psalms 55; Psalms 59; 69; 109).
The Truth Behind Psalms 52
Are there times we should ask God to avenge our enemies? In Psalms 52:1-5, we see how David declared that God would give justice for the evil actions of Doeg. (1 Samuel 21). David and his men were fleeing from King Saul. They arrived in Nob, and David requested food and a sword from Ahimelech, the priest. However, he did not reveal he was fleeing for his life. Ahimelech provided David with provisions, including the sword of Goliath. Then David fled to Achish, King of Gath.
While this occurred, Doeg, the Edomite, the chief herdsman of Saul, overheard the discussion between David and Ahimelech, the priest. (1 Samuel 21:7). He knew the priest helped David without knowing Saul was trying to kill David. He tells King Saul how Ahimelech had helped David and made it seem that he had inquired of the Lord for David. Doeg made it appear he plotted with David against King Saul, but he had not. (1 Samuel 21:9-10; 15). As Psalms 52:2 says, like a sharp razor, he deceived the king because he loved evil more than good.
Saul is furious, he summons the guard and orders him to kill Ahimelech, the priest. However, his servant would not, so he orders Doeg to do so. With such zeal, Doeg does, although he knows that Ahimelech was innocent of those false charges. He executes 85 priests, including women and children, along with ox, donkey, and sheep. (1 Samuel 22:16-19).
One son of Ahimelech, Abiathar, the son of Ahitbub, escaped and told David about this horrible event. David feels terrible and responsible for this horrid death sentence of Doeg. And he said, Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I have brought about the death of everyone in your father’s household (extended family). 23 Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, but you are safe with me.” (1 Samuel 22:22-23). When he composed Psalms 52, it was a plea for the unjust deeds of Doeg. Doeg actions caused the death of several innocent people.
Leave Justice in the Hands of God
My Friend, there is nothing wrong with us expressing to God how we feel. David did not pronounce the sentence of God for himself but because of those evil deeds of Doeg. Because Doeg loved lying more than speaking the truth, it devoured an entire providence. (Psalms 52:3-5, NLT). In this fallen world, you may believe you have the right to ask God to get even. I understand we are enduring injustices. People do vile and wicked harm to others. However, we should never ask God to harm anybody because they committed something we deem unforgivable.
We should never take these scriptures out of context and use them to exact retaliation on those who offend us. David knew God was just and righteous and the supreme Judge who would bring justice. Beloved, we should never take justice into our hands but put it into the hands of God. These Psalms accentuate God's outrages against evil and not for us to use to ask Him for revenge.
What if they do not get what you feel they deserve? It makes your flesh cringe to imagine they will not face any consequences. Still, it is even harder to acknowledge that you are not to enforce those consequences. However, it is better to ask the Lord to deliver His justice and help you to forgive.
In Matthew 5:44-48 and Luke 6:27-38, Jesus encourages us to forgive our enemies and seek the absolute best for them. It does not mean to pray for them to die or for something awful to happen to them. These people are souls, just like we are. We must pray for their salvation and for the will of God to be done even when this is challenging. Jesus did this in the Garden of Gethsemane before Judas betrayed Him.
When we leave the judgment in the hands of God, we live out what it means not to get even. It softens our hearts so we can be compassionate and not bitter towards our offender. These actions allow us to showcase grace and mercy because none of us deserve the grace of God. If Christ can forgive us, then why not forgive them? As we allow His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, though we do not understand all this entails, we overcome evil with good. (Matthew 6:9-13, Romans 12:21).
Beloved, we must extend grace to those who wrong us even when we feel they do not deserve it. Remember the actions of Jesus when He hung on the cross. Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34-38). I do not ask God to harm anybody, but I have forgiven them and asked Him to let His justice prevail.
We should bring our feelings to him and not repay evil with evil. Let us extend grace, bring these issues to Him in prayer, and leave payback in the hands of God. His justice far outweighs anything we can do to our offenders. These actions honor God while we leave room for His judgment because He knows best how to handle this situation. Only then can we experience His peace, which makes no sense. (Philippians 4:7).
I pray the song; Just Like Jesus, by Iveth Luna, encourages you when you are falling to pieces.
TIME FOR REFLECTION: What is the difference between asking God to get even and seeking Him for justice? What valuable lessons have you learned from this lesson?
How do you react to those who mistreat you? How has this message changed how you will respond in the future?
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