Daily Devotional | Resisting Revenge

New Tribes missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were kidnapped and held for more than a year by terrorists in the Philippines, an ordeal that ended with Martin’s death. In the book that describes her experience, Gracia tells how the Scriptures were a source of comfort to her. One Sunday, she found a piece of paper and began writing down all the promises of God she could remember. “A couple of days later, when I was in a slightly less spiritual mood,” Gracia writes, “I thought of another divine promise to add to my list: ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord’ (Rom. 12:19).”

David resisted the temptation to take revenge on Saul once before (1 Samuel 24). He had another opportunity while hiding in the hill country east of Ziph. At that time, he snuck into Saul’s camp while the king was sleeping. David’s nephew Abishai offered to pin Saul to the ground with one thrust of a spear, arguing that God had delivered the king into David’s hands. Once more, David chose to leave matters in God’s hands. He explained to Abishai, “The Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed” (v. 11).

Saul’s behavior continued to be erratic and although he admitted sin in verse 21, David was not inclined to trust him and asked for his spear in verse 22. David balanced his desire for retribution with His belief that vengeance belonged to God alone. As Christians, we often use the language of grace. We sing: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” It is one thing to sing about being a wretch. But it is something else to have to worship next to a person who acts like a wretch. Although we often sing about grace, we sometimes long for revenge.

>> Patience informed by faith is the remedy for revenge. When we leave room for God, we open the door not only to justice but also to the possibility that God may offer others the same grace that He has shown us.

Pray with Us

King David’s life story of God guiding, forgiving, and restoring him reassures us of God’s love. The Lord’s mercy and love are available to us in the same way. Nothing can separate us from His love!

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.