"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and He shall save thee" (Proverbs
20:22).
No lesson is harder for some of us to learn than that’ of confiding all our affairs to the hands of
the Lord, especially when we feel we have been wronged and ill-treated. Yet it is plain from
Scripture that the saint can make no greater mistake than to take charge of his own affairs in such
a case. Nothing could be clearer than the injunction, "Recompense to no man evil for evil. . . .
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written,
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom. 12:17,19). To set about meting out evil
for evil in the face of words like these is to act in direct disobedience to God, and we need not
wonder if we make a terrible botch of it all. He who, owning that all has been allowed by the Lord
for his good, bows his head and bends before the blast, will find God ever ready to interfere at
the needed moment. To look away from the human instrument of our grief, however vindictive
he may be, and to see, behind it all, the purposes of our Father working out, gives rest and
comfort to the sorely tried soul.
It was this that sustained David when Shimei cursed and stoned him (see 2 Sam. 16:5-12). It is
doubtful if, in all David’s spiritual history, he ever reached a higher height of holy confidence in
God than at this time of deep, deep trial. Shimei’s spiteful cursing in so public a manner, and at
so sorrowful a time, must have deeply lacerated his already wounded spirit. But he bows his head
in submission; and instead of executing vengeance on Shimei, and instead of seeking self-
vindication from the charges made, in submissive confidence and taking all from the Lord
Himself, he says, "Let him curse."
Shimei was but an instrument, inspired by Satan, yet really permitted of the Lord, for David’s
chastening and discipline. As such David views Shimei, and looks not at second causes but at the
great First Cause Himself. Would that every tried saint could follow his example!
The day came that Shimei was a cringing suppliant at the feet of the man he had cursed, publicly
owning that he had acted perversely, and confessing "thy servant doth know that I have sinned"
(2 Sam. 19:16-23). David’s royal clemency was extended in forgiveness_a far greater victory
than vengeance would have been. Afterwards, in God’s righteous government, he was put to death
for the treachery that ever characterized him. "He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong
which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons" (Col. 3:25). With judgment I have not to
interfere. Be it mine to bow in submission to all God’s ways, owning His hand in everything that
would otherwise disquiet me.
(From Notes on Proverbs.)
FRAGMENT. A traveling salesman was telling a friend the story of die treatment received in a
certain business house at the hands of the members of the establishment with whom he had come
in contact. The rudeness and injustice recited stirred the listener to protest:"And you did nothing
about it afterwards? You let it go too easily. A fellow like that deserves to be taught a lesson."
"Yes, but I am not here to avenge personal wrongs, you know; I am on business for the firm,"
answered the salesman.