Have you ever learned something, after years of reading scripture, and realized a truth that was missed, or seen truth in a new light? Pastors and theologians have said over and over that when we study scripture, we’re only scratching the surface. Not because it is impossible to understand, but because it is full of truths. Here is what I’ve read:
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
– Psalms 37
For a long time I thought that when one takes vengeance it is a singular act of sin. What I mean by that is that if someone I love is murdered, and I know who the murder is, then I would plan and avenge his/her death by committing the same act upon him.
But that is actually committing three sins: hatred, murder, and then vengeance which the Lord has said:
13 Thou shalt not kill.
– Exodus 20
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
– Matthew 5
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
– Romans 12
As I’m completing this, my mind was on the storming of the Capital Hill building by fed-up Trump Supporters. Many of them very upset at what they believed to be the theft of the election by the Democrats. So many years of Liberal acts they consider are ruinous to the country spilled over into the building, managed to enter into the chamber, but eventually driven out by the Capital Police.
If this election was indeed stolen, the problem cannot be solved through violence. Give place to the LORD’s wrath, and trust that He will carry through justice.
Agur's Observations 