Leave Room for God's Justice
"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." — Romans 12:19
How do you handle it when people hurt you or oppose God's work?
Paul faced constant opposition. The Jewish radicals of his day had a contract out on his life. They wanted him dead. Wherever he went, a hit squad followed him. They wanted him out of the picture because he had departed from Judaism and embraced Christianity.
What did Paul do? He trusted God to take care of the situation.
His agenda was not to suppress the opposition. He wanted the opposition to come to faith in Christ Jesus—and many of them did. In the long term, he was trusting God to sort it out. He said in verse 16 that he was leaving justice in God's hands.
With many of us, we want to take justice into our own hands. Thank the Lord that we are not God. He wants us to lean back on Him and trust that He will take care of bringing justice.
Sometimes it's tough waiting for God's justice. We would like to say, "Lord, if you love me, you will change that person or you will take them out." We want vindication now. We want the score settled today.
But God says, "Wait. Trust Me. I've got this."
We need to just lean back and trust that in God's timing, in God's way, He will use even the opposition to do something positive for the Kingdom of God. Maybe that person who's fighting against you will one day become your brother or sister in Christ. Maybe their opposition will strengthen your faith in ways comfort never could.
Stop trying to be God. Stop rehearsing in your mind what you're going to say to settle the score. Stop strategizing how to get even or prove you were right.
Leave room for God's justice. Your job is to love, to forgive, to pray for your enemies, and to trust that God sees everything and will make all things right in His perfect timing.
How do you handle it when people hurt you or oppose God's work?
Paul faced constant opposition. The Jewish radicals of his day had a contract out on his life. They wanted him dead. Wherever he went, a hit squad followed him. They wanted him out of the picture because he had departed from Judaism and embraced Christianity.
What did Paul do? He trusted God to take care of the situation.
His agenda was not to suppress the opposition. He wanted the opposition to come to faith in Christ Jesus—and many of them did. In the long term, he was trusting God to sort it out. He said in verse 16 that he was leaving justice in God's hands.
With many of us, we want to take justice into our own hands. Thank the Lord that we are not God. He wants us to lean back on Him and trust that He will take care of bringing justice.
Sometimes it's tough waiting for God's justice. We would like to say, "Lord, if you love me, you will change that person or you will take them out." We want vindication now. We want the score settled today.
But God says, "Wait. Trust Me. I've got this."
We need to just lean back and trust that in God's timing, in God's way, He will use even the opposition to do something positive for the Kingdom of God. Maybe that person who's fighting against you will one day become your brother or sister in Christ. Maybe their opposition will strengthen your faith in ways comfort never could.
Stop trying to be God. Stop rehearsing in your mind what you're going to say to settle the score. Stop strategizing how to get even or prove you were right.
Leave room for God's justice. Your job is to love, to forgive, to pray for your enemies, and to trust that God sees everything and will make all things right in His perfect timing.
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4 Comments
I trust in the lord God with all my heart, He is my savior.
Oooh Dr. Dodd this was spot on for me today. It is an answer to my pondering questions and all the putting together of the puzzle pieces of our current events which produces assumptions. UUUUU ! FORGIVE ME LORD for my sins. This drains my piece and causes anxiety. God is still God , God is still on the throne , He has a plan and His plan will be carried out. And I am thankful ! I knew all of this but I still allowed myself to get caught up. The world is what it is and I need to pray " Father God Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven and right here in my heart and life. Good good word Pastor Dodd, thank you for being faithful to The Lord's leading.
When I am Christ centered I always hear what I need to hear, and I most definitely needed to hear this! What a wonderful God we have!
I have lived in a situation for 5 years. I have started praying for my neighbors's salvation. They need to know that there is a better way to live life than inflicting pain onto others.
n.