“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.” — Proverbs 20:22
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” — Deuteronomy 32:35
One of the hardest lessons in the Christian life is learning not to take revenge. When we are wounded, betrayed, falsely accused, or mistreated, the flesh wants to strike back and “recompense evil.” Yet God tells us to wait on Him.
Why? Because vengeance belongs to the Lord. God sees what man cannot see. He knows every motive, every hidden action, and every injustice done against His children.
Many battles are made worse because people refuse to leave matters in God’s hands. Revenge may satisfy the flesh for a moment, but it leaves bitterness, confusion, and spiritual emptiness behind. Waiting on the Lord is not weakness — it is faith resting in the justice of God.
David had opportunity to kill Saul in the cave, but he refused to touch the Lord’s anointed. Stephen was being stoned, yet he prayed for his enemies instead of cursing them. Both men understood a powerful truth: God can defend His people far better than they can defend themselves.
Sometimes the greatest victory is not getting even, but staying right with God while trusting Him to deal with wrong in His time.
David Spared Saul — 1 Samuel 24:10-12
David spared Saul though Saul sought his life. “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.”
David refused personal vengeance and trusted God to handle Saul.
Stephen — Acts 7:59-60
Stephen was being stoned for preaching Christ. “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
Instead of revenge, Stephen showed forgiveness and Christlike grace.
If you carry hurt today, do not let revenge take root in your heart. Leave the matter with God. The Lord never overlooks evil, and He never fails His people.
Wait on Him, and He shall save thee.