Vengeance is Mine!

"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." Heb. 10:30-KJV

"For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" Heb. 10:30-NIV

"For we know the one who said, "I will take vengeance, I will repay those who deserve it." He also said, "The Lord will judge his own people." Heb. 10:30-NLT

Doesn't matter which translation we study God speaks loud and clear about revenge and judgment. I cannot help to draw a parallel between the day after the lynching and murder of Jesus and what has just happened in our community. The Minister of Music for the church I used to attend was a victim, along with her 2 1/2 year old daughter, of a tragic accident involving a twenty year old who was drag racing down a major highway. She was greatly loved by her friends, family and church and loved God with all of her heart. This senseless decision of racing created pain, suffering and anger in the life of those who loved the music director. She did not deserve this death nor did her 2 1/2 year old, much like Jesus.

God spoke these words thousands of years ago because He knew we would face situations that would provoke such a deep anger that without His intervention we would be unable to forgive. I love the KJV best because it speaks of vengeance belonging to Him - since we do not truly own our vengeance it is not ours to give to others. When we judge and condemn we are breaking one of God's essential commands - "Love others as I have loved you".

There have been many times I didn't receive the punishment I probably deserved from God because He looks deeper than our actions - He looks at our motives and truly knows who we are in Him. He has both the ability to forgive ALL indiscretions and the love to forgive them. On the flipside He has the right to judge and takes away our right to condemn.

Max Lucado states, "Judgment is God's job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can't do it. Revenge is irreverent. When we strike back we are saying, 'I know vengeance is yours, God, but I just didn't think you'd punish enough.' To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right."

The driver of the other car didn't wake up that morning and decide to take the life of two people. God is able to look into his heart and know his motives and He will be the true Judge and Jury. Our community is charged to forgive this young driver but only with God's help are we able to accomplish this.