June 23 – Do Not Avenge Yourselves

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves — but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Roman 12:19

Judge, then, my brethren, would it be wise to snatch the rod out of the all-powerful hand of God, to take it into our own, even were it in our power to do it? We are taught by the holy prophet not to avenge ourselves, it being daring presumption to usurp God’s providence and to step into His throne. He who chastises the nations, shall not He correct? Might may overcome right for a time, to try God’s children. But whether that is done with a close hand, so as not to be discovered, or with a high hand, so as not to be controlled, God will in due time show Himself and vindicate the honors of His slighted government. It is, therefore, our wisdom to call to mind our blessed Lord’s silence when He suffered and to copy after it, committing ourselves to Him that judges righteously.

Gracious Lord, give me the patience to bear the contradiction of sinners and the opposition of men, leaving my cause in Your hand and trusting Your providence for my vindication. You will then bring forth my righteousness as the light, and my judgment as the noon-day. Lord, fill me with love, pity, forbearance, and long-suffering, for the glory of Your own name! O to be Christ-like!

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)