King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: It's God's Vengeance
Date: Friday April 20, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Kings 9-11

Hello My Friend,

God never said that being a Christian meant that we would not have to face any pain and suffering caused by others, but He did say that He would always be there for us and protect us. So, what happens when it seems like God was not there to protect us or a loved one who has been victimized. While it is natural to want vengeance, we should never let the things that happen to us bring us down to their level. God is always with us and believe it or not, He wants vengeance more than we we do and He gets it too, and while it may seem like nothing is getting done to see justice, just like everything else, it's all in His timing. What greater law enforcement do we need than God? “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:17-21.

Since the reign of Ahab, God worship had been replaced by Baal worship, in fact, Ahab's wicked wife Jezebel, despised God so much that she had any prophet or priest executed if word got out that he was promoting the worship of God. Ahab died around 898 BC, but Jezebel was still around and so was Baal worship, now, God was about to get His vengeance upon the house of Ahab, twenty years after Elijah prophesied about it. “And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:..And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:” - 2 Kings 9:1,6-8.

Jehu was anointed king over Israel by God's special choice, he was commanded to destroy the house of Ahab, including Jezebel. As long as he acted in obedience to God, and upon the right principles, Jehu was assured that he would not face any opposition. The murder of God's prophets is strongly noticed, showing that God never lets one hair on our heads touched go unnoticed. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:28-31.

Just as God promised Ahab's family, friends, and anyone else associated with his family, including Jezebel was executed as well as all the Baal worshipers, making sure that not a prophet, priest, or servant of God would be harmed. “So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining... And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal...And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.” - 2 Kings 10:11,18,19,25.

After Jehu destroyed all the house of Ahab and the Baal worshipers in the Northern Kingdom it seemed as though things were looking up for Israel. However, they forgot one thing, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who was just as wicked as they were. When she found out that her son was dead she called for vengeance upon the house of Judah. “And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.” - 2 Kings 11:1-3.

It was important for a male of the house of Judah to keep the seed of David alive as God promised David that His seed would come through the lineage in which David's seed would come. For six years Athaliah made herself queen, but she was about to get the surprise of her life. “And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple. And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king..But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD...And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house. Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.” - 2 Kings 11:11-13,15,21.

Although Joash was just a child he had a good guardian, a godly man, willing to train him to be a godly man himself and what was better, he had a good God to go to when he needed help. We should never disregard a child, kids are wiser than you think and if brought up godly, it is amazing what they can do. While kids need to respect and honor their parents they can still be a good influence on them, Jesus loved children and often used them as an example that we should as adults follow. “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me...Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”- Matthew 18:2-5,10.

We have to realize that God does not bring evil upon us Himself, He is incapable of doing anything evil, even the devil cannot bring evil upon us, he can entice us and plant things in our heads, but he cannot force us to do or follow evil. The truth is there are some people out there born wicked and they will do whatever they can do to get what they want, which usually means they win the trust of good people. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” - Matthew 7:15-17.

We get ourselves and others into situations when we are not cautious about the people we get around. I got myself into a heap of a mess that I am still cleaning up because I thought that good can be found in everyone, but God is getting me through it and He will see me through it. If you or someone else has been victimized, do not blame yourself, do not blame God, Go to God, He is with you and will give you peace, comfort, forgiveness, and justice. It might take a while to see justice, but remember, everything is in God's timing, He is working and you will see the blessings that come out of what you are going through. “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.” - Deuteronomy 32:35,36.

Today's Psalm: 58:10 - “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”

Today's Proverb: 20:22 - “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”

Today's Prayer: God, You know that many of us struggle with guilt, shame, anger, or bitterness over something that has happened to us or a loves one. Help us to let go of our burdens and hand them over to You, give us peace, comfort, and rest. Help us to be forgiving toward them and even ourselves, give us Your strength and power to wait for You to handle our situations, and remind us that in is all in Your hands, You will take care of it and seek justice for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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