9-26-13 “He Will Do It”
Hebrews 10:30-31
For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I know a couple of families who have recently been mistreated. Unfortunately, their lives now have to be tangled up in our court system as a result of other people in their lives making poor choices. It’s so easy to get angry at the mistreat-ers. It’s so easy. I want justice for my friends. I am angry with those who “play the system” and angrier still when the “system” doesn’t work towards true righteousness. Very frustrating.
But the good thing to remember is that God sees everybody and everything that goes on (Proverbs 15:11). And he explains his timing very well in 2 Peter 3:8-9. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God... God knows that full well, and it is out of GREAT love and mercy that he is patient and holds back judgment. But that doesn’t mean he loves the mistreated ones less. And so for the people in that category who tell God what (they) need, and thank him for all he has done. He lets them experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard (our) hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) This is no consolation prize; this is just AWESOME!
No matter how mad I get at a person or group of people or “the system,” it is not for me to get even or exact revenge. I think it might feel good, but since God clearly states this is not my job, it wouldn’t be good. Treating someone who is nasty in kind wouldn’t be giving them what they need. They need God. They need him desperately or they wouldn’t be in the nasty subset of humanity to begin with.
I choose to trust God. For He also promises this: “The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are wronged by others.” (Psalm 103:6) If the wicked won’t use the consequences of their actions to turn their hearts towards God, God promises to make things truly right. Whether it’s on this side of Heaven or the other; it doesn’t matter. He will judge, He will make it right. He will - no matter how badly I may want to do it for Him - He will do it.
Dear God,
Forgive my strong desires to often times take matters into my own hands. And thank you for the countless times you have intervened for me and for people I love. Help me to be patient so that you can work through an entire situation that I can’t even see. I pray specifically for people like Riley and like Kaylee right now who are so loved yet so incredibly deceived. Help them to get the consequences they deserve as a means to finally turn their hearts towards you. And should they refuse that opportunity don’t let any of their evil, selfish, ungodly plans prevail. Protect their families from their bad decisions and the inevitable failure of our current justice system. Lord, we tell you what we need and we thank you for all you have done, and we trust you with all of our hearts to pay back or be patient as you see fit. I love you so much and pray in your Son’s name, amen.
Hebrews 10:30-31
For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I know a couple of families who have recently been mistreated. Unfortunately, their lives now have to be tangled up in our court system as a result of other people in their lives making poor choices. It’s so easy to get angry at the mistreat-ers. It’s so easy. I want justice for my friends. I am angry with those who “play the system” and angrier still when the “system” doesn’t work towards true righteousness. Very frustrating.
But the good thing to remember is that God sees everybody and everything that goes on (Proverbs 15:11). And he explains his timing very well in 2 Peter 3:8-9. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God... God knows that full well, and it is out of GREAT love and mercy that he is patient and holds back judgment. But that doesn’t mean he loves the mistreated ones less. And so for the people in that category who tell God what (they) need, and thank him for all he has done. He lets them experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard (our) hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) This is no consolation prize; this is just AWESOME!
No matter how mad I get at a person or group of people or “the system,” it is not for me to get even or exact revenge. I think it might feel good, but since God clearly states this is not my job, it wouldn’t be good. Treating someone who is nasty in kind wouldn’t be giving them what they need. They need God. They need him desperately or they wouldn’t be in the nasty subset of humanity to begin with.
I choose to trust God. For He also promises this: “The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are wronged by others.” (Psalm 103:6) If the wicked won’t use the consequences of their actions to turn their hearts towards God, God promises to make things truly right. Whether it’s on this side of Heaven or the other; it doesn’t matter. He will judge, He will make it right. He will - no matter how badly I may want to do it for Him - He will do it.
Dear God,
Forgive my strong desires to often times take matters into my own hands. And thank you for the countless times you have intervened for me and for people I love. Help me to be patient so that you can work through an entire situation that I can’t even see. I pray specifically for people like Riley and like Kaylee right now who are so loved yet so incredibly deceived. Help them to get the consequences they deserve as a means to finally turn their hearts towards you. And should they refuse that opportunity don’t let any of their evil, selfish, ungodly plans prevail. Protect their families from their bad decisions and the inevitable failure of our current justice system. Lord, we tell you what we need and we thank you for all you have done, and we trust you with all of our hearts to pay back or be patient as you see fit. I love you so much and pray in your Son’s name, amen.
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