Vengeance and Mediation

Read Psalm 123

Read 1 Samuel 25

David and his men had protected Nabal from great harm. Yet Nabal, a foolish drunkard of a man, insulted David by not thanking him, not providing any sort of payment or gift of appreciation, and by pretending that he didn't even know who David was.

David's anger got the better of him and he decided to take revenge. Certainly in his wrath David would have gone to far - he was determined to wipe out every male! Soon the fool Nabal would die and his men with him, and David would be guilty of great bloodshed. It was going to be a bad situation all around.

Until a woman steps in. She was beautiful, but more importantly, she was discerning. She knew Nabal was insulting David, and she knew David could easily wipe them all out. She provides David what he earned, a thank offering of sorts. She persuades him not to be violent. She tells Nabal what she had done, and the Lord struck him right then and there with some sort of debilitating affliction that took his life 10 days later.

We are reminded that vengeance is the Lord's. We are naturally prone to overreact to insult. Like David we strap on a sword and go to war. Maybe the person deserves our wrath, but still vengeance belongs to God. And maybe the person might not even deserve our wrath. We may mis-characterize, misconstrue, or misunderstand the other person. We often go to war against someone on the same team (that is, the Lord's team).

We also learn the importance of mediation. Abigail is a wonderful example. She risks the wrath of her husband. She risks danger from the soon-to-be king, a man currently incited to wrath against Nabal. There was a lot at stake, but her wisdom prevails.

In this way, she points us to Christ. Jesus refused to take revenge on his enemies. In fact, he came into this world to save his enemies and make them his friends. And in order to mediate for them (really, for us) he had to face the wrath of his Father. This he did willingly.

In the end, his shed blood prevents our deserved bloodshed. His life given prevents our execution. And of course I'm talking spiritually, that is, we do not suffer the death and destruction of the eternal hellfire.

What a Savior! What a mediator, who pleads on our behalf! Maybe, just maybe, by his strength we can show mercy too, and leave vengeance up to him...

You think? Lord help us!

Pray:

Pray from your heart today. Ask God for help in turning the other cheek and overlooking offenses. Ask God to help you show mercy and leave vengeance up to him. Thank God that he has shown you mercy instead of punishment. Amen!

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon