2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Joshua 13:1-14:15 ESV, Luke 18:1-17 ESV, Psalm 85:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 13:7-8 ESV
Daily Verse: “And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’” (Luke 18:3 ESV)
EKDIKEO (1556): “To vindicate, retaliate, punish. That which proceeds from justice, means “to vindicate a person’s right” in the parable of the unjust judge, of the ‘vindication’ of the rights of the widow.”[i]
God vindicates.
God’s wrath exists. When you read through the Old Testament, you can’t deny God gets vengeance against those who oppose Him. Reconciling God’s anger with His love can challenge the best of us. Sin’s consequences lead to death. Jesus overcame death, so we don’t have to suffer the repercussions.
We all deserve God’s wrath for the sinfulness in our lives, every one of us. Accepting your sinful nature will help you become more graceful to others.
When someone hurts us, we want justice for their actions. But remember, you’ve hurt someone too. Each of us has intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. Instead, look for the pain.
Pain causes hurt.
If we don’t learn how to manage our pain, we will inevitably hurt others. Misery loves company. Hurting hearts want companions. Cries for help come in the form of offensive actions. People respond unkindly instead of saying, “I’m hurting and don’t know what to do with my pain.”
Picture a cornered rattlesnake, coiled up, tail rattling, head lifted, tongue striking at you; its poison deadly. People’s inner pain can act as a defensive rattlesnake, damaging relationships.
The best thing to do if you encounter a rattlesnake freeze don’t make a move. Assess the situation, then slowly back away, giving the snake room to leave.
If someone strikes out at you, don’t respond. Instead, pray, asking God to help you see them through His eyes. Assessing the situation with God’s lens will reveal their pain to you. Back away, give God room to work on their broken hearts.
We all deserve God’s justice. God gives us grace instead. Share the gift with everyone.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.80) Thomas Nelson
