He Hit Me!

Warriors Arise: November 19, 2023

Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

The law of retaliation (see Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20: Debt. 19:21), was not intended to encourage personal revenge, but to protect the offender from punishment harsher than his offense warranted. Jesus forbids revenge by insisting upon positive good int eh face of evil in terms of personal insult (v. 39), legal contention (v. 40), forced labor (v. 41), and requests for gifts or loans (v, 42). NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

When I looked these up, I recognized Jesus is wanting to make sure we do not sin in our revenge. We aren't to take it too far. There is a way to handle the offense, but it is not when we are upset or pushed past our limits. When we take matters into our own hands, we tend to take them too far. When we take them too far, we enter into sin.

We have a choice. No one wants to get slapped, let alone give the individual the opportunity slap us a second time one the other cheek. However, there is a power we can tap into so we do not respond in anger because we have been provoked. The power is embedded in peace. They do not know what to do when someone is operating in the peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7).

God's peace gives us the ability to respond differently than the way someone is expecting. They are wanting us to engage. They are trying to provoke and bully us. God has given us that ability, through Christ, to resist being provoked, step away from the offender, and extend kindness beyond what is humanly possible. It is not human nature to offer someone another chance to strike us. But, if we do it through peace, something will break in them. They will not want to hit us. It is not human nature to offer someone our coat when they have taken our hat or gloves.

In our humanness, we do not want to give them anymore, nor do we want them to get away with taking something form us. But God, in His wisdom, says for us to remain in peace and when we operate without vengeance and in perfect peace, He will step in. Maybe He will cause the thief to give it back. Maybe He will have someone else give us one better. I do not know the outcome, but I know God says vengeance is His and I am determined to allow Him to have that position. I will also trust Him to restore back to me what the enemy has taken from me. He says in His word that I will get double, seven times or all of what has been taken from me. I will trust God. He will fulfill His word.

Father, I will trust You. I need this peace that surpasses all understanding. I trust You to handle the offender as You see fit. I trust You to restore what the name has stolen from me. I want to display Your goodness. I want to display Your peace. I want to know how to be in perfect peace to not get riled up when people are mean. I want the strength to not be sucked into their issue and lack of integrity. I want to rise above, walk in perfect peace, and show them kindness because I trust You will protect and restore what has been taken from me in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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