VENGEANCE IS MINE

 VENGEANCE IS MINE

It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him (Daniel 6:1-4).

The devil and his demons hate seeing God’s servants advance. When they do, they are reminded of their defeated position. Is it not curious that, knowing they are defeated, they still seek to wreak havoc on believers? So, whether directly or indirectly, they employ sinful men to carry out their malice against God. Not that hatred and envy need to be stoked, since both reside in the heart of lost men.

Let us rejoice when others have good things happen to them. Love does not envy. 

However, Daniel’s contemporaries were envious. Therefore, they sought to find something by which to accuse him. Failing to find grounds in Daniel’s government administration, they laid a trap. “ . . . these men said, ‘We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God’" (Daniel 6:5).

It is not uncommon for believers to be persecuted for their faith. Who could say how many times Christians suffer emotional injury in the workplace? How many times have believers been passed over for promotion simply because they speak boldly about Christ? Perhaps you have experienced such injustices. Well, take heart, Christ is the great equalizer. He will set all things right. If not in this world, certainly in the next. 

In this case, God allowed Daniel to be placed in the lion’s den when he refused to obey the king’s edict not to pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Of course, God shut the lion’s mouths, and no harm came to Daniel. Those who plotted against Daniel ended up being devoured by the same lions. 

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).