Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 11:12-13, Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel.”
What a great opportunity! Which one you ask? The opportunity to get vengeance for what the men who rebelled against King Saul did, right at the outset of his reign as king. If you recall, we read this in chapter 10, verse 27, “But certain worthless men said, ‘How can this one deliver us?’ And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.” Now, as God gave King Saul, Samuel, and Israel, victory over their enemies, the people were ready to go after those who doubted and rebelled against the king chosen for them by God. King Saul was in a position to take vengeance, with the approval of the people. As king, he would have had every right and no one would have questioned or blamed him. However, once again, we see King Saul’s humility; a humility that would have served him and Israel well, had he maintained it. He did not allow his pride to put him in the mindset of, “Who do these worthless men think they are to reject me, the king?” Instead, he left vengeance right where it ALWAYS belongs…with God! Romans 12:14-21 puts it very plainly, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 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. 20 ‘BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.’ 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The only thing we accomplish, by putting ourselves on a path to seek revenge for a wrong done to us, is setting ourselves up for misery. It will affect our relationship with God. It will rob us of our peace, joy, and tranquility. It will cause us emotional and mental anguish, stir up our anger to the point of sin, and ultimately, if it lingers too long, it will begin to affect us physically. Seeking vengeance, which is a clear indication of an unwillingness to forgive, will cause more damage in our lives than in the life of the person we are trying to exact revenge on. There is a very good reason that God calls us to forgive at all times. Ephesians 4:30-32 commands, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” When we choose vengeance over forgiveness, we grieve the Holy Spirit of God who indwells us. This is the greatest damage we inflict in our lives when we seek vengeance, because we fracture our relationship with God. I am not saying we lose our salvation. I am saying that we hinder our prayer life and our ability to hear from God, who desires to speak to us, especially during these moments when we are tempted to hold on to bitterness, anger, and feelings of vengeance. We must acknowledge and give King Saul much credit for his response to those who sought to do harm to the men who rebelled against their king. Before we choose revenge for a wrong done to us, we must stop and consider how often we have betrayed and sinned against God, and how often He has forgiven and restored us to fellowship with Him. If it was not for His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, we would all be bound on a path to eternal condemnation in Hell and the Lake of Fire. If we find ourselves in a place where we are tempted to seek vengeance, we must stop and consider instead the blessings God bestows upon us. That is what King Saul did. Rather than focus on worthless men, he turned the people’s focus to the deliverance by, and the blessings of, a Worthy God.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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