God Understands the Desire for Vengeance Psalm 94:1-17 Page 932 Psalm 3, 5, 7 Page 844

As A Parent… How important is it that your kids feel that they can come to you with anything? No One is a Better Listener Than God!!

Honest Relationship: When I read Kings, Chronicles, and the Psalms I see this mutual relationship between David and God and it reminds me that God offers this to me as well and I am the one that does not take God up on the offer.

Revenge in the Movies: Edge of Darkness Ransom Law Abiding Citizen RED Losers The A-Team Cape Fear Taken Desperado V For Vendetta Memento

Quotes about Revenge: By taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing over it, he is superior. Francis Bacon ( ) He who seeks revenge, digs two graves. Chinese Proverb O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself. Saint Augustine of Hippo ( )

More Quotes: Revenge is a confession of pain. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (C. 4 B.C.-A.D. 65) Revenge is the pure delight of little minds. Juvenal (C. 60-C. 127) The smallest revenge will poison the soul. Jewish Proverb

Get Even!! Make a habit of getting even with people – not those you think wronged you, but those you know who helped you. - - Kay Levin

Psalm 94 on page 932 O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. PS 94:2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. PS 94:3 How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Psalm 94 on page 932 PS 94:4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting. PS 94:5 They crush your people, O LORD; they oppress your inheritance. PS 94:6 They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless. PS 94:7 They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed."

Psalm 94:8-11 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? PS 94:9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? PS 94:10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge? PS 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.

Psalm 94: Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; PS 94:13 you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. PS 94:14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. PS 94:15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Psalm 94: Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? PS 94:17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

Avoid the Cycle: We may want to avenge but making things right is God’s job, not ours. That desire to hurt others can be quickly used by the Devil to turn us away from loving action and into a very negative cycle.

Psalm 3 Page 844 PS 3:1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him.“ Selah 3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

Psalm 3:5-6 Page 844 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. PS 3:6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

Psalm 3:7 Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalm 3:8 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah…think of that!

Psalm 5 and 7 Psalm 5 is more about being thankful for being on God’s good side and Psalm 7 speaks about the sowing and reaping of evil deeds.

What do we learn from these Psalms? David wants those who hurt him, or will hurt him, to be hurt as well but he leaves it in God’s hands. He prays that God would “arise” and take care of things and David does not ask for permission to be his own avenger. He has learned that payback is for God to do.

What Should We Do? Take that desire to God. Ask God to be involved in the process. Leave it in God’s hands. Consider our relationship with God.

How are you doing with this? Are you good at praying about it but find it hard to leave it in God’s hands? Do you tend to see others as more deserving of God’s punishment than you are? Or do you just leave God out and do what you want!

Romans 12:19-21 Page 1764 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." RO 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Will You Show Love???? Will you love your enemies so that they see Jesus within you and so fulfill Matthew 5:44? Will you break the cycle by showing love? Jesus did.

Next Week: God wants you to honestly share your feelings of guilt. Psalm 32 and 51.