Vengeance!

December 2, 2024 Monday Message:

2 Thessalonians 1:6 NLT: “In his (God’s) justice he will pay back those who persecute you.”

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t get mad; I get even!” That’s not a Christian way of living. Jesus taught us to be forgiving and loving. Getting even with someone is best left to God and God’s timing! “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord!” The world persecuted Jesus, so don’t be surprised if you too are persecuted.

People in general are not eager to get out of the driver’s seat and let God be in charge. Most people still want the upper hand. But God allowing this freedom also permits us to make incorrect decisions! We can seek our own revenge, and then worry about what we have done. Worry isn’t good either! Throw away your worries and revenge, and live in the joy of the Lord!

Live in the assurance of salvation given to us by Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Psalms 109 - Vengeance vs Joy!

Sept. 11, 2017 Monday Message:

“Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love.” Psalms 109:26 NIV

We don’t know which event caused David to send Psalm 109 to the worship leaders. Clearly someone was making David’s life miserable, or some opposing country was making Israel’s life miserable. The text contains an exceptional number of curses and bad wishes against the oppressors. David was asking God to intervene, to stop the insults, persecution and evil behavior.

Sometimes insults, persecution and evil fall into all our lives. We’re not altogether different from David.

Which opens up the greater question: “Does God ever let sin like that go unpunished?” The short answer is, “no.” “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Deut. 32:35, Romans 12:19-20

But we don’t know God’s timetable for setting things right, and in fact, we’re told to not concern ourselves with those details. Knowing that Jesus is returning soon, we should always be very joyful. Jesus said, “You will be happy when people are not kind to you and do bad things to you. You will be happy because you love me, even when they say many bad things about you that are not true.” Matt. 5:11

Sometimes it’s challenging, but let God handle the retribution while you handle the joy of knowing Jesus. Like the song says, “Don’t worry – be happy!”

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll use John 17 to set up our Corinthians series this fall. See you at church!

Psalm 17

October 05, 2015 Monday Message:

“Hear me, Lord, my plea is just.” Psalms 17:1a NIV

David once again prays to God in Psalm 17. He first offers evidence, justification that the Lord should answer his prayer requests. “My prayer is not from deceitful lips. May your eyes see what is right. Probe my heart, examine me, test me; You will find that I have planned no evil, and my mouth has not transgressed.” Is your heart pure when you come before the Lord?

David restates the promise in scripture, that the Lord is forever faithful. “I call on my God, for you will answer me. Show me the wonders of your great love. Keep me as the apple of your eye, in the shelter of your wing.” Do we trust that God will be ever-faithful with us?

When Saul was king, he felt threatened by David, the future king, so he sent his soldiers to attack David. After David was on the throne, other countries were constantly attacking Israel. As David grew older, even his own sons sought to take over the nation. David had enemies in spades! “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, to throw me to the ground. They are like a fierce lion crouching in cover, hungry for prey.” Do you ever have days when you feel like everyone is out to get you?

David then calls upon the Lord for vengeance. “Rise up, confront my enemies, bring them down; with your sword, rescue me from the wicked.” Needing rescue from the wicked is a good time to call upon God.

No one picks up a sword to inflict a flesh wound. David is asking God to kill his enemies. He has no other solution – He believes that Divine intervention is the only answer. What God has for the wicked, David wishes upon their children and their children’s children. But Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies. But instead of praying for their death, we should pray that they would renounce their evil ways and repent.

And as for David – he’s the man after God’s own heart. The Lord will justify him. “I will be vindicated; I will see Your face.”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 11, Pastor Michael Pilla opens up the book of Ephesians.