Revenge, A Dish Best Served Forgiven

Who hasn’t at one time wished something bad to befall those that hurt them or to think they will get theirs because of the pain they have caused? I was reflecting on the hurt and pain some people have caused in my life and in my family’s, some purposely set out to cause pain while I was simply a casualty of life to others. I began to contemplate on the Word of God and what it says about forgiveness and those who hurt the children of God. I had a sadness wash over me. How many times have I said what goes around comes around without even thinking about the words I was speaking? Do these people have any idea what they have brought upon themselves? It is horrifying to think how many people have a world of sorrow coming their way because they will reap what they have sown. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 God help the people that come against His children. They need our prayers; sadly they have no idea what they are even doing. (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. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12: 19-21 God’s vengeance could not even compare to the worse punishment on earth, can you really wish that upon anyone? If you answer yes to that, I would encourage you to seek God for a forgiving heart. I don’t say that lightly, there are a few I really struggle to forgive and have to seek God daily to soften my heart and forgive the pain they are causing.

My prayer tonight is for God to have mercy on the people who have hurt me and on the people that are determined to hurt me to this day, just as Jesus said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34 Forgive me Father for my unforgiveness, forgive me for wishing evil to fall on certain ones for cruelty they have put out. Don't hold them accountable for what they have done to me, instead use it to turn their lives around and over to you! I forgive them and let it go and pray I can be a light for You that draws them into Your Kingdom! In Jesus name!

Intercession for our Enemies

Scripture:
(9) Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (10) And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (11) Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. Deuteronomy 7:9-11

Deuteronomy 7:9-11 is a powerful Scripture that permeated through my Spirit as I read it last week. Verse 9 shows us what an awesome God we serve. He is faithful, He says it in His Word and He shows it day after day in our lives. His mercy and grace sustain us while His covenant and the Holy Spirit guides us.

I have been dealing with a personal conflict that makes praying for those coming against me or my family a hard pill to swallow. It often kills me to know someone may "think" they are getting over on me and pray for them and God's mercy in their lives. But as I read verse 10 and began to ponder on it something clicked this time. It enlightens us as to one reason praying for our enemies is so key. Let's look at things from God's perspective. He is our Father. When someone hurts your child or someone close to you it causes you to hurt and all you want to do is make it better for that person. How do you think God feels when He sees His children hurting? When someone comes against a child of God they are coming against God without even realizing what they are doing. God feels and sees our pain and at the same time He knows and sees their heart and verse 9 clearly says, "He will not be slack in paying him." My God, our enemies bring the wrath of God upon themselves in pure ignorance. God's wrath is worse than the darkest storm, it will crash down harder than the tallest wave, ans it will shake heavier than the most devastating earthquake. God help the person who comes against a child of God because they are in essence coming against God Himself. They need our prayers to intercede for them just as Job's prayers interceded for his "friends" that had come against him (Job 42:7-10). Look at what happen to Job when he prayed for the men who had just spoken against him at his darkest hour, "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).

Child of God, go forth today and keep God's commandments, statutes, and judgments (verse 11). You can find them in His Word and store them in your heart. When the days activities have you down and people are taking advantage of the God in you, when they are coming against you, or when you find yourself hurt by "friends" fall to your knees and pray. Pray for God's mercy on those people for they truly do not even know how much they need your intercession. You will find your strength, your redemption, your comfort, and your peace come from above. Claim it, believe it, and receive it!

Blessed!

Feeling stressed? Remember this child of God: you are blessed! The same God that formed the oceans and mountains is able to shower you in His ultimate love fountain. He hears your prayers and He cares. He sees your tears and wants you to know He is near. You are not alone, He is watching over you from His throne. He doesn’t promise a path without weeds, but He will always meet every one of your needs. Victory was won through Jesus on the cross, the battles you encounter may cause a temporal loss but all you have to do is call on His name and I promise your life will never be the same! Walk in the knowledge that you are a child of the King and you will be more than ok no matter what life may try to bring. Salvation is an ultimate treasure and through Jesus you will be blessed beyond measure!