Does revenge ever solve a problem?
Perceive: The scene quickly moves from Baal Hazor to Jerusalem, back at David’s palace where we see David’s point of view. Based on a false report, the king tears his clothes and lies prostrate before the Lord in deep grief. He thought he was responsible for all of his sons dying, but in reality, only Amnon was murdered. Bad news often travels fast. During the confusion, Absalom fled eighty miles north to the country of his royal grandparents. This section of Scripture ends with David in Jerusalem mourning over his firstborn son, but in Geshur, his third born and next in line for the kingdom began plotting how he could take the kingdom from his father. He had three years to think and plan.
Practice: Unfortunately, the problem with revenge is it never solves any problems and only exacerbates the situation. The great English philosopher and author Francis Bacon once said, “a man is but even with his enemy, but in passing it (revenge) over, he is superior.”[i] Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive a wrong, especially a horrible wrong. Jesus is the model we should all strive for, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3).
Pray: Lord, help me to forgive the wrongs done to me in a way that honors You.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
[i] See Of Revenge in the Essays of Francis Bacon
Practice: Unfortunately, the problem with revenge is it never solves any problems and only exacerbates the situation. The great English philosopher and author Francis Bacon once said, “a man is but even with his enemy, but in passing it (revenge) over, he is superior.”[i] Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive a wrong, especially a horrible wrong. Jesus is the model we should all strive for, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3).
Pray: Lord, help me to forgive the wrongs done to me in a way that honors You.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
[i] See Of Revenge in the Essays of Francis Bacon
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