“For we know Him that has said, ‘Vengeance belongs unto Me; I will recompense, says the Lord.’ And, again, ‘The Lord shall judge His People’.”Hebrews 10:30
When we remember Who He is. . .and who we are. . .we’ll “let God be God” and not try to take matters into our own hands.
Who are you, Pilgrim? A “sinner saved by Grace”? Where would you be without God’s Mercy and Grace? Hopelessly lost (Eph. 2:12).
If those are your answers, then you can better understand the essence of today’s Manna. The anonymous author of Hebrews was quoting from Deut. 32:35-36 when he penned those words. And, even though we now live under Grace, not the “curse of the Law” (Dt. 27:26; Gal. 3:10, 13), God’s Word is still true—especially when it comes to “vengeance.”
The Hebrew word used in Dt. 32:35-36 was “naqam” and also meant “revenge, to avenge, have a quarrel with, hold a grudge against, punish, etc.,” while the Greek word used in our text is “ekdikesis” and basically means “vindication, retribution, punishment, retaliation, to carry out justice, etc.”
Now, it’s easy to overlook the next part of the verse which says “belongs unto Me.” How easy it is to move into the “seat of the scorner” (Ps. 1:1c), where we quickly judge others—which basically is serving as judge and jury on others (Mt. 7:1ff). Not only do we quickly size them up. . .based upon their looks and/or actions. . .we also think that we even know their motives for doing what they do.
But, remember, dear Pilgrim: There’s only one omniscient God.
And, we’re not Him!
That’s also why we must ever-remember that “vengeance is His; He will repay.” And, woe to those who think otherwise and think it’s their right or responsibility to exact payment!
This warning also covers those who might not try to get even, but still mutter under their breath and with a gleam in the eye, “What goes around comes around” or “One of these days he’s going to get his!”
Never forget, as someone once said, “But for the Grace of God, there go I.” And, never forget what John Newton, who wrote the words to “Amazing Grace,” once said in his “Three Wonders of Heaven:” “There’s the wonder of folks being there that you didn’t expect to see. There’s the wonder of folks not being there that you expected to see. But, the greatest wonder is that John Newton’s going to be there.”
Truly, as someone once said, “The Lord’s writing it all down.”
Did not Jesus say we’ll “give an account of every idle word” (Mt. 12:36)? And, didn’t He also say not a single sparrow can die and fall to the ground without the Father’s notice (Mt. 10:29)? Assuredly He did. Therefore, when others hurt you. . .abuse you. . .mistreat or mock you. . .just remember they also did that to Jesus. . .and that’s why they do it to you (Jn. 15:18-25). But, do not fear: Our Lord knows. And, He’ll take care of it. Trust Him.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated March 11, 1011
