O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, 2 for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. 3 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. 4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. 5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

When we are falsely accused or when someone slanders us for no reason or when we are mistreated without cause, it is difficult to remember the words of Jesus when he said that we are to “turn the other cheek” or to go with that person the “second mile.” Most of us have built in us the “get even” mode that makes us want to retaliate for any injustice we perceived done to us.

We are taught that vengeance belongs to God. In Romans we are told we are to leave room for the wrath of God and let him take care of these kinds of injustice. Not only are we to not take things into our own hands to get even, we are told to treat them with kindness and love and to pray for our enemies. This is most difficult when we are in the throes of pain or in the heat of anger. Yet, Peter tells us that as Jesus suffered the night he was betrayed, falsely accused, beaten nearly to death, mocked and spit upon, he uttered no threats but kept entrusting himself to his loving Father who judges justly. While being arrested Jesus told Peter that he had the authority to call twelve legions of angels to destroy his enemies. A legion was about 5000. In the Old Testament we have an account of one angel destroying 40,000 men in one night. Can you imagine what a legion of angels could do! Yet, he humbly submitted to those who would abuse him and kill him with complete trust in God to make things right and deal justly with them.

Peter also tells us that one of the reasons that Jesus did all this was to leave us an example to follow. What an example! So, the next time we have some petty injustice (petty compared to what Jesus suffered) we need to just stop and pray for wisdom and strength to follow his example. But his example for us also included the prayer on their behalf: “Father forgive them because they don’t understand what they are doing.” We can always rest peacefully knowing that God will never fail us but is always with us.

O God, loving and kind but jealous for righteousness, please increase my faith that I can trust you when things seem to be so unfair in my life. Help me to never try to “get even” with others but to show them love and forgiveness, even as Jesus showed me in his example. Help me to feel compassion instead of hatred and love in the place of bitterness. I know that you are near and I find peace in you. In Jesus name I pray.

May God bless each of us as we follow the example of Jesus. Robert

P.S.
As this year draws to a close, we want to stop and reflect on the many blessings we have received from our Lord. He has faithfully provided our needs. While some have faced various temptations and trials, God has never forsaken us or left us alone. May God bless each of you as you enter into 2010! With the help of God I will attempt to provide these devotions for another year. If you have suggestions to make them more meaningful, please do not hesitate to let me know.