Just read this intro & ending to a horrific Old Testament story found in Judges 9:
"22 After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years,23 God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted.24 God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon's seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers...56 In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers.57 God also punished the men of Shechem for all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Gideon was fulfilled." [Judges 9:22-24,56-57 (NLT)]
Ouch and Dang!
This just reminded me of a powerful New Testament passage. In it, Paul reminds the Christ-followers in Rome of a passage that comes from Deuteronomy. The Christians in Rome were being highly persecuted and often had to make the life-or-death choice between following the emperor & Jesus. These next few words take on a completely new level when you are on the brunt end of such evil:
"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, 'I will take revenge; I will pay them back,' says the LORD." [Romans 12:19 (NLT)]
So I can see why they had to be reminded to trust that God can & will take vengeance.
Because sometimes The Prince of Peace has got to stir up some trouble on our behalf.
And I would much rather have God fighting for me than me fighting for me.
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