The Avenger

“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

A man left for work one Friday afternoon. But, being payday, instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with the boys and spending his entire paycheck. When he finally appeared at home, Sunday night, he was confronted by a very angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally, his wife stopped the nagging and simply said to him, “How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?” To which he replied, “That would be fine with me.” Monday went by and he didn’t see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results. Come Thursday, the swelling went down just enough that he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

Revenge. It just feels right. When we see evil in the world, we want the perpetrators to pay – and pay now. When we, or those we love, are hurt, we want swift justice. And let’s be honest, sometimes it seems as if there is none. It seems as if evildoers and bullies are getting away with their sins. Where is God? Doesn’t He see? Doesn’t He care?

When it comes to justice, one of two things is true. Either somebody gets away with something or nobody gets away with anything. Without God, there may be justice for some but there will never be justice for all. Only a holy, righteous God standing at the end of everyone’s life can guarantee justice. If God does not exist then it doesn’t matter if you are good or bad, whether you are honest or lie, or whether you give or take. Without a God who rewards good and punishes evil, what does it matter?

Did you know that atheism is the centerpiece of the worldview of communism? Through the years it has allowed its leaders to murder more than 100 million people. Richard Wurmbrand, a Christian who was tortured in communist prisons, said this: “The cruelty of those who do not believe in God is hard to believe. When man has no faith in the reward of good or the punishment of evil, there is no reason to be human. There is no restraint from the depths of evil, which is in man. My communist torturers often said, ‘There is no God, no hereafter, no punishment for evil. We can do what we wish.’”

When you disbelieve the judgment of God you will disregard the fear of God. But there is a God who gives a mandate for justice. He sees. He cares. And He will avenge.

Father, Help me to trust in Your justice so that I can forgive. In Jesus’ name, amen.