Let Them Off the Hook

   “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’  Wait for the LORD, and He will avenge you.” Proverbs 20:22 NIV

   One of the best reasons to read and study the Scriptures on a regular basis is to receive instruction from the Lord in very unique and specific ways.  I confess that even though I have devoted myself to the Word of God for 30 years, I can still be pretty “dense” sometimes when the Lord is trying to make a point.  Often, He will show me the same verse over and over until I “get it.”

   Case in point:  The Holy Spirit led me to Second Samuel 24:14 (TLB), which says, “It is better to fall into the hand of the Lord (for His mercy is great) than into the hands of men.”  These are the words of King David, when the Lord makes him choose a form of punishment after the king unwisely calls for an accounting of the fighting men in his kingdom, demonstrating his lack of faith in God.  It took several days, but the Lord’s message to me finally “clicked” in my spirit.  That’s when I realized that I was harboring resentment toward someone who had caused me considerable emotional pain, and there was a part of me that wanted to “get them back” for it.

   After much prayer, I finally understood that the Lord was instructing me to leave the person who hurt me in His hands.  God would deal with them, and He would do it with perfect justice and mercy – something that I could not do myself, especially since I was still angry and in pain.  Scripture says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:9 NASB)  God asks us to let those who offend us “off the hook,” trusting that they are not off HIS hook, and that HE will deal with them according to His own divine plan and purpose.  When we cooperate with the Lord in this way, He begins the healing process that makes us whole and draws us closer to Him.  Is there someone that YOU need to let off the hook today? 

   Lord, I choose to believe that You are a just and merciful God, and that You care very deeply when someone hurts me in any way.  Today, I ask that You heal me in my spirit, soul, and body.  Make me quick to forgive others when they offend me in any way.  Help me to entrust all of my hurts to You.  Enable me to expect and to receive Your matchless comfort and consolation.  Thank You that as I look to You to right my wrongs, You will save, deliver, and restore me in miraculous ways!

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