Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Romans 12:14
‘Bless those who persecute you’ can sound like a hollow command at a time when new levels of brutality have arisen. But we must have faith in the justice of God. He does not take persecution lightly. His nature is not passive, even if longsuffering. He does not love peace more than He loves truth. He does not love reconciliation more than He angers over injustice.
Setting this scripture alongside imprecatory passages can be confusing. Psalm 69:23-24 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see and make their loins tremble continually. Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them.
Paul loved this Psalm and quoted it several times in Romans. Jesus also loved it and quoted it twice from the cross. Putting those who hurt me into God’s hands is to be assured that justice will be served. Either our enemies will come to the cross and repent (and Jesus will justify them through taking the wrath they should suffer upon Himself), or at the end of the age, God will fully pour His wrath and indignation upon them.
These Psalms are the practical applications of God’s justice and mercy here on earth. If I am more bent toward one than the other, I misrepresent the nature and character of God. If I’m soft on sin and have no righteous anger, then mercy stands alone, and God’s holiness is in question. If I live angry and cry out for justice, then the radical love Jesus showed on the cross is obscured.
We are usually more bent toward one than the other. God must work in us to make us like Him.
Lord, you know my personal obstacles, and only You can break through my conflicted heart. Amen
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