40 Days of TRUST

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of TRUST
Day   13|  DOING GOOD TO EACH OTHER

DOING GOOD TO EACH OTHER

1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

We continue our study of trusting God by further examining the Scripture where we are told to RESIST revenge.

There's something about our human nature – yes, even we who are followers of Jesus – that wants to "get even" when someone does us wrong.  (Must be the "old sin nature" which will haunt us until we go to be with the LORD.)

We all seem to have a built-in "scale" where we want things to even out.  If someone cheats, we want them to be found out and make compensation.  If someone lies about us, we want them to have the light shined on them, so they'll admit it and apologize.

But what happens when those "scale-evening" events don't occur? What happens when we don't HEAR any apology or SEE any recompense?

We have to trust God.

Deuteronomy 32:35 NIV says: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”

Romans 12:17 says: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”

So, since the LORD says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (KJV), then TRUST Him to take care of it, in HIS time, in HIS way, to the extent that HE thinks appropriate.

What a relief to cast that on Him too.

What we're to do:  "Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and all the unbelievers.” (1 Thess 5:15, TPT)

Prayer: LORD, once again, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  HELP me to resist my human nature and instead cast my feelings on YOU and to “do good” to others and let You handle others in Your way. Amen.