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June 23, 2017

Romans 12:17-19

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

New International Version (NIV)

Have you read the Count of Monte Cristo? Or perhaps you have seen the movie. As a high school student, Dumas's works captured my attention. Especially the sad story of Edmund Dantes, who lost his fiancée and his freedom to the unkindness of his so-called friend. Dantes was beaten in the Chateau D'If prison every year on the anniversary of his arrival. He wrote on the wall of the prison, "God will give me justice." For years his hatred simmered until a kindly priest discipled him.

Dantes escaped the island prison and found his way to wealth and success, all the while savoring the possibility of revenge against those who had wronged him. In one memorable line in the movie he says to his former fiancée, "Don't take away my hate. It is all I have left." She loves him too much to let his hatred consume him. So does God.

Have we been keeping score, awaiting our chance to repay those who have harmed us? Who owes you? Have you done all you can to make peace with everyone? Remember David in the scripture who refused to take revenge on Saul, though Saul made his life miserable. The Song of David, our Lord Jesus Christ went even farther, forgiving those who killed him. His way is our way. God will avenge the wrong. Let us not take matters in our own hands. With Christ let us open our hands and release the anger and vitriol. God is with us today. What more do we need?

Pray with me:

Father, we thank you today for your manifold mercies revealed in the grace of Christ given to each of us and all of us. Help us to appropriate the grace and forgiveness we have found in you to release others who have harmed us. You are sovereign, well able to protect us from others. Let us make our enemies our friends by drawing larger circles of love that take them in. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.

Joyfully,

Duane

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