Vengeance is Mine

Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!"

Wait for God; He'll settle the score.

Proverbs 20:22
 

Do not take revenge, my friends, but 
leave room for God's wrath, for it is written,
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay," says the Lord.
Romans 12:19

It is the summer Olympics - one of the greatest sports contests on the planet.  Teams from almost every nation on earth gather together to compete in the pool, on the field, around the track, and through the air.  When one thinks of top-notch athletes, one thinks of skill, class and sportsmanship.  Unfortunately, not every competitor comes up to snuff in the class and sportsmanship categories.

In Monday's soccer semi-final between Canada and the United States, Canadian Melissa Tancredi intentionally stomps on the head of a fallen U.S. midfielder who is down on the pitch.  What should have been a red card foul (with automatic ejection of Tancredi from the game) went uncalled.  France's Nic Batum, frustrated in the final moments of a loss to Spain in basketball, delivered a roundhouse, close-fisted blow to the groin of one of the Spanish players, who collapsed in agony.  In the Argentina vs. U.S. basketball game a short time later, an Argentinian player delivered the same blow to the U.S.'s Carmelo Anthony.  In each of these situations, the first reaction of the victimized team is to wipe the other team off the map - immediately and physically.  Fortunately, cooler heads and wiser coaches prevailed.

Revenge is defined as "a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, real or perceived."  Also termed retaliation, vengeance, retribution or payback, the desire for revenge is the most common human reaction to pain and suffering inflicted by another.  You want the other person to hurt as badly (or worse) as they have hurt you.  Unfortunately, however, the act of revenge often brings as much pain and suffering on the one retaliating as it does on the intended recipient.  That is why the Chinese philosopher Confucius said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

All of us are faced with instances in life when we are slighted, slammed, and slugged for no apparent good reason.  Getting back at the other person is almost always our opening reaction.  God says, Hey - cool it.  Leave it to Me.  When all is said and done, I will see that justice is done.  As another proverb says, Revenge is a dish best served cold.  Just be sure you let God be the waiter.