Intro: This morning very early I decided to turn on the news so I could get caught up on the very latest things happening in our nation and the world. I spend very little time reading the news online or watching it on cable, but I do try to stay informed. Today, I saw more about: 1) the innocent hostages released by hamas, 2) the innocent Jewish teacher in NYC (Queens) who was harassed and threatened by pro-Palestinian high school student protesters, and lastly 3) the “crash and carry” robberies violating innocent business owners. I prayed, Lord, please bring an end to the evil aimed at the innocent in your world. Shortly thereafter I read Psalm 7 and God’s principle of retribution presented itself before me. How would you define “retribution?”
Sometimes we compare retribution with vengeance, but they are really not the same thing. Retribution is about seeking justice but it is not personal; it is about taking issue with unrighteousness or wrong doing. Retribution takes no pleasure in the suffering of others, its goal is simply to mete out justice and remove the danger from society by deterring other criminals. In the Old Testament Law, retribution was to be proportional to the crime committed. Think about the phrase “an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth” (Ex 21:23-25). Jesus taught, “Don’t resist one who is evil” (Mat5:38). So, how are we to view retribution, today?
I believe God made it very clear that the judicial system was established to take issue with evil actions against the innocent (Ro 13:1, 6). So, it is the duty of government and those in authority to protect the innocent by enacting retribution on those who perform acts of evil. Yet, more and more it becomes apparent that our system of protecting the innocent is failing miserably. In fact, I believe this apathy to take issue with evil actions/criminal and violent behavior is being orchestrated by Satan in order to lull wicked people into thinking they will face no retributive action for the injustice they perpetuate against innocent people. But, Satan is a liar! (John 8:44).
In our passage today, David reminds us about the law of divine retribution. In other words, how God will take issue with humans who choose to do evil and thinking they will get away with it. God maintains moral order in the world by meting out justice. When a person or group of people are determined to rob, steal, or destroy the innocent, they position themselves for their own destruction (Mat 26:52). This is called sowing and reaping.
Psalm 7:14-16 CEV
14
An evil person is like a woman
about to give birth
to a hateful, deceitful,
and rebellious child.
15
Such people dig a deep hole,
then fall in it themselves.
16
The trouble they cause
comes back on them,
and their heads are crushed
by their own evil deeds.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing a greater understanding of retribution and the importance of godly justice. I pray for you to deliver people from evil; I pray for them to want to be saved from their own self-destruction. Thank you for loving us enough to discipline us, so we do not face this kind of reaping or harvest. We place our hope in Jesus who has promised to one day usher in a just world as the Spirit transforms the world into a place of righteousness and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.