Proverbs 20 - Revenge

Verse 22 says “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” Very wise advice and something very hard to do. When we are wronged by someone, our first reaction is to “pay them back”, to seek vengeance to “right the wrong”, but this is not how we should act. As the verse says, “wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” When we take vengeance in our own hands, it changes us. The old saying, “two wrongs don’t make a right” comes to mind. For if we strike out with vengeance in our hearts, we are wrong, and taking a step down a slippery slope. When does it end? You begin striking out at people for even smaller and smaller offences, until you are striking out for nothing at all. Vengeance consumed you, changed you, and now you are an evil person, with evil desires, all from trying to “right the wrong”. We human’s can’t handle that type of power, that is why vengeance is best left up to God. He knows of our woe, He loves and comforts us, He in His divine wisdom will “settle the score”, our focus should be on praising Him, not on getting revenge. If you are hurt by someone and the wrong consumes you, take it to the Lord in prayer, then leave it there for Him to handle. You will be a better person for it, it will no longer haunt you every waking moment, you will be able to go on with your life. But most of all, you will be following God’s will.