Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. — Romans 12:19
This seeming nightmare we have all been experiencing for the past few years is coming to an end. We must continue to trust in God for His relief. Nothing stays the same — this, too, shall pass.
How many of you have noticed how things change, often coming full circle? The issue of racism must not go full circle. America has had 400 years of free labor from God’s children, African Americans stolen from our homeland, packed on ships like sardines in a can, millions tossed overboard. Let us stand together on God’s promises that He will give us back what we’ve lost.
There is a story of Joseph and his 12 brothers in the Book of Genesis that fits this topic so perfectly. In this story, Joseph was mistreated by his brothers — in fact, they decided to kill him at first, but changed their minds and sold him instead. All they wanted was to be rid of him forever! But Joseph flourished during his time of tragedy and betrayal, and after 20 years, those same brothers who meant him harm later needed his help!
Joseph went through his tribulations, from being thrown in the well to being sold and eventually imprisoned. After interpreted the dreams of two prisoners, and was therefore recommended to interpret a strange dream that the king had. The king really wanted to know the meaning of his dream, and one day one of the ex-prisoners was reminded of what a great job Joseph did and recommended him. He interpreted the king’s dream in such a powerful way that he was appointed second-in-command over Egypt.
Here is where Joseph was able to see God’s hand in the entire situation with what his brothers had done to him. Those same brothers came to Joseph in dread, as famine was throughout the land.
Though Joseph was now sitting in the second-highest seat in the land, he decided he would not settle the score and throw his brothers into a pit as they had done to him. Instead, Joseph said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. In God’s hands, what others do or say to you in a harmful manner, will eventually be good.” (Genesis 50:20 NKHV)
Another Scripture, Romans 12:19, says it this way: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
In yet another Scripture, The Lord God said, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.”
“You meant evil against me,” Joseph told his brothers, using a Hebrew verb that traces its meaning to “weave” or “plait.” “You wove evil,” he said, “But God rewove it together for good.” God, the Master Weaver.
God can weave a new blanket more beautiful than ever with shreds, using ragged and broken pieces that become like velvet strings. He will wipe away the pains we’ve suffered and replace them with such great pleasures. Nothing shall escape the reach of our Lord and Savior.
Do you not know that all the leaders of the world are at His command? No matter what has happened with our president, God IS in charge! When you experience those times of trouble, when it appears that you have been forgotten, just keep trusting in God. Faint now, continue to acknowledge Him in all your ways, and he surely will direct your paths.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.