MEMORISE:
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. Psalm 18:47
READ: Luke 18:1-8
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
MESSAGE
"Avenge", "retribution" and "recompense" are words commonly used in the Bible to mean inflicting deserved or justified purnishment on a wrongdoer, either by God himself or by an authority ordained by Him. In contrast to these, vengance (i.e to revenge) is malicious retaliation against a percieved or real offence commited by someone or a group of people. It involves the reciprocation of and injury or insult by an aggrieved person. Whenever evil is delibrately committed against someone, the immediate human instinct is to take revenge, especially if the victim is capable of inflicting a corresponding injury on the offender. However, the lifestyle of God's kingdom teaches that it is wrong to strike back or return evil for evil, whether by immediate retaliation or deffered actionof vengeance. As citizens of heaven, we must learn to leave such matters in the hands of the Great Avenger, because the Bible insist that revenge is unacceptable to God (Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:19).
God's word offers us some definite ways of dealing with the carnal desires for vengeance. First of all, we are advised to be slow to anger, because anger is the root of every drive for revenge. We are to thoughtfully respond to situations that can lead to anger after hearing from the Holy Spirit, who resides in us (Ecclesiastes 7:9). We should also desist from plotting revenge in response to any wrongdoing committed against us. the Almighty God wants us to see vengeance as His exclusive responsibility (Romans 12:19). He also wants us to renounce anger and put it away from our minds completely (Psalm 37:8, Ephesians 4:31). May the Prince of peace send His peace like a river into your life to quence every fire of anger before ir graduates into vengeance in Jesus' Name.
Leaving matters in the hands of God and waiting for His judgment are acts of faith that demonstrates trust in God rather than human ability. That's why children of God must not consider taking revenge or repaying evil with evil; rather, we must wait for the Lord in all situations. Persecuted and oppressed Christians must never rely on what human strength can do for them. Instead, they must pray earnestly with total reliance on the word of God, as seen in Psalm 94:1-2 and Lamentations 3:64-66. I decree that the Great Avenger will rise on your behalf today and render recompense to those who have oppressed you. God will judge your persecutors according to the work of their hands, and He will give them sorrow of heart untill they are completely destroyed in Jesus' Name. God will not rest until He has avenged you of all your enemies in Jesus' Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, according to Your word in 2 Thessalonians 1:6, please reward my enemies with tribulation in Jesus' Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 21-23
Jeremiah 21:11-22:12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 13: I AM A VICTOR
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes
CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer
⦁ Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home
⦁ Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah
⦁ Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high
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