When the Wound is Deep

"Revenge is sweet," or so the saying goes. This proverb dates back to the 16th century. However, when we look at scripture and see evidence of the opposite being valid, we understand why God says that vengeance is His (Romans 12:19). Instead, what we are asked of by the Lord is to forgive as Christ forgave us. Mercy was shown instead of judgment by the King of Kings, who hung in utter agony as the wrath of God burned against Him for our sake, as He begged for forgiveness for us. Christ is who we follow in example after.

While Jesus set the standard, another person of note in scripture who resembled God's grace was King David. David had every reason to retaliate and take matters into his own hands. Saul, the very king he had faithfully served, pursued him out of jealousy and tried to kill him on multiple occasions. His desire to kill David was relentless, resulting in others being killed out of the jealousy that consumed Saul. Yet even when David had the opportunity to take Saul's life, he didn't. He spared him—choosing reverence for God over revenge for his enemy.

David teaches us that forgiveness often involves releasing justice into God's hands. Forgiveness doesn't mean the offender was correct; it means that we trust God to make things right. When we're deeply wounded by those in authority or those we once trusted, forgiveness becomes a holy surrender—a statement that our hearts refuse to be ruled by bitterness. Even if the offender chooses never to ask forgiveness, show remorse or repentance, or take any accountability, we can still choose to forgive them with the Lord as our defender. Forgiveness will be between you and the Lord.

We can submit this wrong to God as David did. Fighting our urges to retaliate or be right, we trust that God will avenge the wrongs for us. One way to begin to move forward in the process of forgiveness is to ask Jesus to help our hearts to let go of the pain of the offense for our own freedom. Then, as time progresses, we can begin to pray for the offender and extend Mercy from our own hands. This allows us to leave final judgments up to God.

Forgiveness requires radical faith. It requires submission. It requires trust. It will need grace and mercy when anger and bitterness are fighting for the throne of your heart and mind. It may even feel excruciating to extend, especially when revenge seems sweet for the taking. But forgiveness also helps purify our hearts before the Lord. It helps keep us holy and blameless without the stain of retaliation. Like David, it allows us to remain men and women after God's heart.

Reflection: Is there someone you need to release to God, trusting Him to deal with the injustice?

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, search my heart and find areas where forgiveness has not been extended. Help me release any bitterness or resentment toward those I have trusted and who have wounded me deeply, even if they have not sought reconciliation or admitted fault. Let me learn to hand the offense to you, for you to judge and deal with so that I may walk blameless and free. As I release forgiveness, bring me healing and fill me with your love to keep walking out the grace you have given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.