July 22 / Proverbs 20:16-30

Proverbs 20:16-30

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

Proverbs 20:22

This advice is echoed in Romans 12:19, which hearkens back to Deut. 32:35. It is something we all should think about — and heed! — as forbearance does not come naturally. When attacked in some way, our first impulse is to strike back. Sometimes we are a bit more prudent and step away in the moment — but only to plot revenge from a more advantageous position. Fear of further reprisal might keep us from dishing out that payback, but if we could get away with it, we would. Admit it. Without the Holy Spirit guiding us otherwise, that’s what we do.

But that is not the wise path. David’s dealings with King Saul give us a good illustration of the right path. Out of jealousy and paranoia, King Saul tried to kill David. David fled, but Saul hunted him down. On two separate occasions David had perfect opportunities to “return the favor” and kill Saul, but he refused to do so. (See I Samuel 24,26.) Although Samuel had previously anointed David as the future king, David did not force that outcome by his own hand. He waited for the Lord to bring him to the throne. And he waited for years, suffering abuse at Saul’s hand most of that time.

More significantly, we have the Lord’s own example:

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

I Peter 2:23

And we are called to do likewise:

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

I Peter 3:9

Wait for the LORD. Let Him work things out.