Do not take revenge, my 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
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice. Proverbs 24:17
Dear heavenly Father, I relish the texture and taste of wasabi-kissed soft shell crab sushi… of a seared-to-perfection perfectly-seasoned rib eye steak… of fresh pistachio gelato with a few extra pistachios sprinkled on top dribbled with a little hot fudge… and, regretfully, I really savor stories of revenge seasoned with spiteful-retaliation and topped off with the gravy of extreme retribution—when the bad guy gets it even worse than he gave it. Once again, I need the gospel to change my taste buds… to change me.
Father, I know there’s everything right about longing for justice… and working for justice… and living with hope in light of the Day of ultimate justice, when Jesus returns to finish putting all things right. But I accept your wisdom and your warnings when you tell me to avoid a vengeful spirit like I would run from living in an environment filled with black mold… to forsake spite like I would immediately cease inhaling toxic fumes… not to plot retaliation any more than I would plan to drink E Coli poisoned waters.
Whether the issue is one of nobly advocating for the weak in the presence of systemic evil or merely a petty story of a personal “dissing”… I have no right to revenge… no right to gloat when an enemy falls… no right to “get back at” or to get even with anybody.
I’m so glad you didn’t “get even” with me, Father, for all the ways I rebelled/rebel against you… for all the ways I’ve chosen my gain over your glory… for all the ways I’ve misrepresented you to the world, even to my own heart. You didn’t get even, you got generous… with the cross. May the cross of Jesus keep me humble, patient and expectant of the Day of consummate cosmic justice. I don’t want to waste one more self-absorbed moment relishing personal revenge. There are much better things to eat. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.