“Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause.” (Psalm 43:1)
It was with this psalm that we began this series of devotionals. It’s an acknowledgment of our need for justice. But what if it doesn’t come? You have expressed forgiveness to God or maybe even to the other person. But no reconciliation comes, what then?
It’s very likely that the devil is trying to put thoughts into your mind with which he will try to convince you to seek justice. He may use people around you who see your pain and tell you to get even. “That makes it easier,” they may say. But this is not the way God shows us. In Psalm 43:1 we read the prayer “Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause.” That is indeed what God does. In Romans 12:19 we read, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This leads us to read at the end of Psalm 43:5-6 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God”.
Trust God is the challenge. Evil thoughts and wrong advice, give them to the Lord. Defeat the devil with God’s word.
But then how do you deal with the other person? That depends on the situation. Pray for wisdom. You can set boundaries. You can say “no” when the other person wants to go on as if nothing happened. Above all, show love. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good…” (Romans 12:20-21)
Have you ever experienced evil being overcome by good?