How much time have you spent during your life being thankful that vengeance isn’t our task?
Even before I began this series of theology blogs, I decided that Thursday posts would focus on thankfulness. Then, it was because I’d experienced how unpleasant life could be without thankfulness, and I wanted a somewhat regular reminder of the antidote.
When I began this extended Gifts from God theme, it seemed sensible to introduce the gift on Tuesday, and continue expressing thanks about the gifts on Thursday. I admit vengeance isn’t most people’s first, second, or even twelfth idea of a gift, and being thankful that vengeance isn’t our task, but God’s, is probably more unlikely.
However, one wise woman recorded in the Old Testament, Abigail, had a good, practical grip on the idea.
As the wife of a man named “Fool”, who lived out the moniker, I have no idea how often Abigail thought fast and saved his hide, and therefore also preserved her family and herself, but her encounter with David stands out.
Think for a moment. Even in planning good things, we second-guess ourselves. We get caught berating ourselves when our plans don’t turn out as well as we’d hoped. How often do we say, “I should have done more?”
I think it’s obvious that attempting the terrible acts of vengeance ourselves would multiply uncertainty and regret. And wouldn’t the devil have a field day playing havoc with our consciences using that?
Abigail realized God was using David to destroy God’s enemies as they came against God’s people.
“…for the Lord will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master (David, parentheses mine) because he fights the Lord’s battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. (She cared about the Lord’s reputation, and David’s.) Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God.”
David needed this reminder, and responded by being thankful.
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed and avenging myself with my own hands.”
It shouldn’t take a near disaster for us to spend time being thankful that vengeance isn’t our task.
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Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman