Let God Settle Your Score Series

OASIS WORD DIGEST

18th September, 2023

LET GOD SETTLE YOUR SCORES*

Bible Passage: Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)

Oasis Word For Today*

As Christians, we should in no way try to settle our score. This is because the Almighty Himself is the one who settles our scores for us. This is the confidence we have in God, He will handle all our cases judiciously.

It is not in the domain of any child of God to take the law into his hands and avenge for any wrongful doing done against him.

When Peter cut off the high priest's servant in retaliation, Jesus condemned his action, took the ear, and fixed it back by healing him.

He had all the power to command thousands of warrior angels to attack the soldiers who came to arrest Him but He did not. Luke 22:47-51

When Jesus died on the cross, He did not take vengeance on those who crucified Him. Instead, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Stephen was falsely accused of blasphemy against God, Moses, the Mosaic law, and the temple.

Eventually, he was stoned to death. As Stephen is stoned, he paraphrases Jesus' words from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59).

Do not fight or make trouble with anyone over what he or she did wrong to you. Your own is to prayerfully commit the matter in the hands of the supreme ruler and trust Him fully to adjudicate justice for you.

Do not be in any hurry to fight opposition and injustice. There is a court that is higher than the court of men. It is the court of the universe where Jesus stands as your lawyer and the Father sits as the Judge. You will never lose any case there.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV) Ref: Deut. 32:35-36

According to the wisdom of Solomon, Instead of retaliating, he advises a reliance on God's sense of justice.

Why? This is because the foolishness of God is wiser than men. God's perspective is infinitely wiser, and His justice is perfectly measured.

As humans, our vision is limited and our emotions can cloud judgment. When we try to "settle scores" ourselves, we may act out of anger or pride.

However, when we wait for God to intervene, we trust in a justice system that is not only fair but also merciful and redemptive.

Columnist: Rudolf E. Y. Mensah ©Oasis WordBank