INTRODUCTION

One of the earliest and most difficult truths that every believer ought to learn is that vengeance belongs unto the Lord. The Lord proclaims this truth throughout scripture (Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
See All...; Psalm 94:1O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
See All...; Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
See All...; Hebrews 10:30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
See All...). This should be understandable as only the Lord has all the necessary information to execute just vengeance. When man attempts to execute vengeance, he often does so out of an improper motive and without key information of the evil that appears to have been done. When a believer takes vengeance into his own hand, he robs the Lord of His right and responsibility to exact vengeance in the right manner and at the right time.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Paul (2 Timothy 4:14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
  See All...) and Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:60Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
  See All..., 64) both knew that getting even with their enemies belonged to God. David thanked Abigail for preventing him from getting even with Nabal when David was angry. God got even for him (1 Samuel 25:28I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
  See All...d, 30-33, 38).
• What could go wrong when we take vengeance into our own hands? Have there been times when things appeared one way, but further investigation proved you were wrong?
• Why did the Lord emphasize that vengeance belonged unto Him? What is our first reaction when someone does us wrong? What is our first desire when we see others wronged?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you leave vengeance to Him.
• Thank God for His longsuffering with you.

HYMN

O Worship the King

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