God Knows the Vindication You Seek: A 5-Day Reading PlanSýnishorn

DAY 3: Vengeance versus Vindication

Vengeance is about pursuing revenge at all costs and using our preferred methods. Vindication is a natural desire to have our name cleared, a wrong made right, the record to be set straight. It is a normal human emotion to want our name cleared or defended. None of us wants to feel like we are being wrongly accused of something, nor do we want someone who hurt us to get away with it. But vindication is far less about us than we typically understand.

In Romans 12, Paul was writing about the personal responsibility we have in living as a sacrifice to God. So even as Paul was giving this illustration, Jesus was calling us to community with Himself, the God who is fully aware of the entire situation. Focusing on the bigger picture of God and His omniscience is the key to helping us live in peace with people.

Taking revenge fractures our relationship with the God who is eager to help us. When we attempt to vindicate ourselves we refuse His sovereign benefits. It is as if we say to God, “Thank You, but I do not need Your help.”This attitude of autonomy embroils believers in turmoil and trouble, preventing us from receiving true vindication and relief.

In the Romans passage, Paul was promoting resolution as a first resort—yes, even with those who may not deserve it. He was saying to trust God to do the job you so desperately want to handle without him. He was suggesting that a kind response to someone who has wronged you is a far smarter strategy, and works much better, than vengeance. And when he said “Leave room for God’s wrath” he was assuring us justice will come. It just may not be on our timetable.

We can’t control what other people do, nor can we control the natural feelings that arise when things that hurt us happen, but we do have positive choices in the matter from there. Vengeance is never the way. Vindication is God’s way, and we can trust Him to bring it in His time and within His parameters.

Respond

Talk to God about the reasons why you find it hard to entrust to Him your need for vindication. Ask Him to reveal why you struggle to release it so He can heal that too.