This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing. So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered. 1 Kings 12:24

No one likes anyone to do anything wrong to them and will fight back very quickly. When something is done wrong, people are very quick to fight back to make things right and get vengeance. All that is seen is the wrong that had been done. Seldom is the greater picture seen.

God had begun to split the nation of Israel. Some of them were willing to go and fight against other Israelites. God told them that this was his doing and for them to go back home and not fight. They obeyed God and went home.

Being wronged by someone can be very painful and draw out anger against them. People will often desire to strike back and get vengeance for the wrong that was done. In the process of seeking vengeance, many will also do something wrong that gets them into more trouble.

Instead of seeking vengeance, believers must be willing to seek God’s direction in what to do. It is God who is truly in control and knows what the next best move is. He is ready to guide a person on the correct path. He sometimes using pain and suffering to bring about His good, such as when Jesus died upon the cross rather than get vengeance.

Taking the path God leads and obeying Him may sometimes seem painful and unfair, but it leads to greater rewards in the end. Kindness and forgiveness may lead others to repentance rather than war, destruction and ultimately death.

There will be times when others will do wrong to you, and you will desire to get vengeance. Before you strike back seek God’s direction by His Holy Spirit. Be willing to obey God and do what His word commands.

Do not allow yourself to be so angry that you take the path that the world will urge you to take leading only to temporary satisfaction, sin and death. God will use all things to bring about His will in your life to give you life that will last for eternity, not death.

How willing are you to obey God?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will seek God’s direction in your life; that you will obey God over the ways of the world; that God will strengthen you to turn from vengeance for wrongs done; and that God will reveal the bigger picture in your life.