Repaying Evil with Good

Psalm 41:9-10

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them!

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At first glance, Psalm 41 appears to endorse revenge - you hurt me, now I will hurt you. Many of the psalms lament the injustice of bloodthirsty men and include prayers for God to bring relief and repay the evildoer. In this case, the evildoer is a said to be a close friend of the psalmist, adding further insult to injury. The writer is clearly asking for God's help so that he can repay his betrayer. So, what makes this different than the typical Tarantino movie? Is the Bible allowing or even encouraging revenge?

First, we should remember that the Psalms are poetry. And while that doesn't mean we can reinterpret them however we want, it does mean they are often very honest and personal in nature. Not everything uttered by the psalmist is necessarily an example for us to follow, since he too is a sinner struggling with faith in the midst of great trials. With some statements, we should mimic the honesty before God, but also mimic the overcoming of doubts, fears, and hate with patient faith in the One who will act on our behalf.

Second, this particular verse is actually referenced much later by Jesus himself, during the last supper.  Jesus gives us a bigger picture and a clearer example to follow when it comes to betrayal and revenge:

And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.  For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." (Mark 14:17-21)

When faced with betrayal by one of his closest friends, Jesus conveyed the psalmist's honesty and emotion. He stated that this man whom he trusted will indeed see vengeance. But that revenge doesn't come with an immediate show of force from Jesus, though he had every right and the power to do so. No, Jesus held his peace, accepted the will of God, and trusted that God would bring the vindication he so powerfully desired. Rather than draw his sword, he washed his disciples' feet, wore the crown of thorns, and hung on the cross, while praying for those who killed him. What a display of trust in the justice of God!

Thirdly, and similarly, the early church gave specific instruction on the topic of revenge, apparently because it was a common temptation we all would face:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

Do we see how this does not contradict what we read in the psalms? Both parts of the Bible are actually conveying the same truth: vengeance belongs to God. After we make our honest prayers for God to bring justice, we must trust God completely. Then, we must overcome evil with good and even be willing to bless our enemies rather than curse them. That is the fullest expression of trust in God's timing and justice. And that act of trust may even turn that enemy into a friend.

The psalmist takes the desire for revenge and redirects it to God in honest and emotional prayer. The Savior modeled for us the patience and trust we will need to overcome evil with good. And the early church fleshed out these truths in direct application in the midst of injustice and trials.

Lord, see the injustice that we face each day, especially in cities and nations where your Word is forbidden and your name is dishonored. Look upon your children who are victims of violence and persecution. Have mercy and bring justice, for your glory and for the good of those you love. For only you have the wisdom and patience to respond to evil and overcome it with good. Fill us with that same spirit as we face today's temptations to take revenge into our own hands.

My Excellent Wife

Proverbs 31:1

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.

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In honor of my lovely wife's birthday, I wanted to publish a little poem I wrote years ago.  Each stanza correlates to the major points of Proverbs 31.  Donna has been and continues to be a rich fountain of blessing in my life.  By God's grace, I am learning how to put this into words, and I am grateful for her patience in that :)  

Love you Babe!

My Excellent Wife (Valentine's Day - 2010)

All of my life, I had searched for the one

To meet all of my needs and fulfill all my heart, 

But so little I knew of love’s mysterious nature: 

A fire that starts with the smallest of sparks, 

Or a jewel that takes eons of pressure to form 

From the hard bitter earth, into beauty unknown.

When I gave you my hand, I gave you this vow:

“I will never let go, no matter what comes,

If the earth should shake us and break to the bone,

Your hand will remain in mine all along.”

I trust you with all of my heart and my life.

I will never regret that I made you my wife.

For all that you’ve done has showered me, dear,

With the blessings of love and of joy and good-living.

And everyday since, I have drawn from that clear

Flowing stream of good fortune – you never stop giving.

You may think that you never do all that you should,

But I’m telling you now – all you’ve done me is good.

Till your hands were both raw & your back was all bent,

And your rest was all stolen with eyes full of tears,

You labored until all of your strength had been spent,

And not just for days, but now year upon year.

I could never repay all the wages I owe

To the wife of my youth who has sacrificed so.

From calls on the phone that last deep through the night,

To baking a treat for a dear troubled friend,

To our plans to bring a child from darkness to light,

You have sought to bring poverty soon to an end,

And rescue the lost, one heart at a time.

What a mercy that I can now call your love mine.

You had thought it was I who would solely provide,

And bring purpose, protection, and food to our table,

But this correction to you I must humbly confide:

It is you who have proven to be clearly so able.

In the sewing and crafting each day all alone,

We have purchased a house, but you’ve made it a home.

In each smile that passes between you and I,

In the squeals of laughter that run down the hall,

In the honor, respect, and deep trust of your friends,

You can hear a loud choir of praises from all:

“Many women have put on an excellent show,

But you stand apart in a class all your own.”

And, it’s not merely all of the deeds that you do,

Or the fact that you sacrifice again and again,

But deeper than that is a heart that beats true

To the rhythm of grace that has overcome sin.

In the fear of the Lord you have genuine beauty,

So I praise you, my wife, my friend…my Cutie.

The Last Breath

Psalm 6:4-5

Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?

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There are some realities that are too full of emotion to put into words. That may sound trite, but consider how much poetry has been written through the centuries concerning the two great mysteries: love and death. Perhaps that is why so many believers have turned to the Psalms in their desperate hours, when life is hanging on by a thread because of some unspeakable injustice, or some stomach-turning grief.

David found himself at a loss for words. We don't know what the context of this Psalm was, what caused David's eye to waste away because of grief. But we do know that it shut his mouth.

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O LORD---how long?

That last line resonates in my mind as I consider the pain I have witnessed this year in the hearts and in the eyes of some of my closest friends. When the sorrows come there can be only few words. And, even those few words may be truncated by tears or loss of breath. David can only get out that last line with trembling and quivering lips. Don't gloss over the words here; the sentence structure says it all. The pain is too great for exposition. Only emotion remains.

I notice the repetition of "O LORD" and wonder at the focus and direction of this prayer. He is fixated on the source of Life, his only hope in the midst of this disaster that threatens him. O LORD! O LORD! O LORD! Where else can I turn? And then he reasons with God, the best that he can in the midst of this.

For your sake, O LORD; for the sake of your reputation, deliver me. Who will praise you in death? Who will remember you by dying? Reach out and deliver me and let it be to your praise.

And he did. This time. God heard David's weeping and accepted his prayer. David's confidence grew and he began to trust that his enemies would be turned away and defeated. But, this is not always the case with sorrow.

But, before you despair of the pain and grief that God may choose to leave with you, consider also the Man of Sorrows. Turn to Isaiah 53. Consider His grief and wonder at the cross. It is a balm to the weary, and comfort to know that someone is with you, someone who cares is with you to hear your truncated prayers, to hear those last breaths, those wordless breaths, and he will never leave you nor forsake you.

The God Who Hears

Psalm 3

Father, You alone are my righteousness.
You alone can make me right with you.
You alone have made me right with you.
Answer me.

You have given me relief in the past,
when I was distressed, upset, and alone.
Be gracious to me in this moment of need
and answer me.

My honor has been turned into shame.
My enemies love vain words and seek after lies.
But You have set apart the godly for Yourself.
and You will answer me.

I will not sin in my anger,
but I will ponder in the night and be silent.
My offering, and my trust, I give to You.
Lord, answer me.

Many say, "Who will bring any good?
Where is God's face in this darkness?"
Their doubts rail against me, O Lord.
Please, answer me.

But You have poured joy into this heart,
more joy than their abundant grain,
more joy than their flowing wine.
You have answered me.

In peace I will lie down and sleep.
In Your righteousness, I have found my rest.
for You alone make me dwell in safety.
I know that You hear me, O Lord,
You have answered me.