Vengeance Is the Lord’s: Choosing Forgiveness and Trusting God’s Justice

In our journey of faith, we often run into this powerful biblical command: “Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Romans 12:19, ESV). This promise and instruction actually has deep roots, as we also see echoed back in Deuteronomy 32:35.

But how do these verses connect to our daily lives? Essentially, they remind us that ultimate justice is in God’s hands, not ours. In ancient Israel, it was the duty of judges to implement the law and determine fair punishment when harm was done. They had to base their decisions on the facts and apply justice impartially. The problem came when, over time, this principle got twisted. In Yeshua’s day, some teachers had started using these laws to justify personal vengeance—something the law never intended. Instead of keeping justice in the hands of the proper authorities, they opened the door to personal retaliation.

Yeshua was not against justice or the idea that actions have consequences. Rather, He was teaching that no individual should take on the role of judge, jury, and executioner in their personal conflicts. It’s all too easy for us to distort justice when we’re driven by anger or hurt. That’s why these verses call us to leave room for God’s judgment and trust that He will make things right in His time.

In practical terms, this means we’re called to a higher standard: to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to reflect God’s mercy. True perfection in God’s eyes is shown in our ability to forgive and to show grace, even when it’s difficult. It’s a daily practice of letting go of our own need for payback and instead, trusting in God’s ultimate justice.

So, how do we learn to love this way? It often involves a kind of “death to self”—laying down our instinct for revenge and allowing God’s love to reshape us. And when we do, it frees us not just spiritually, but also mentally and physically, releasing us from the heavy burden of unforgiveness.

In the end, this is about aligning ourselves with God’s character and letting Him handle the scales of justice. And hey, if you want more reflections like this, feel free to visit HumbleHappenings.com for more insights and encouragement!