2 Samuel 3:30-31
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner." And King David walked behind the bier.
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Today's verse takes us to a time of conflict (isn't it always) and an account of revenge. It is however a time when King David, unlike so many others at the time, chose mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. He truly was a man after God's own heart as the apostle Paul attested to. {Acts 23:22}

Today you and I live in a time of great violence (hasn't it always been) which thanks to our progress (?) with science and technology and man’s love of self makes it far more dangerous, more perilous than ever before. {2Tim.3:1-2} What has not changed however is man's love of violence. If our focus is our love of God we will, like Him, understand why Solomon wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we are not to choose any of the ways of a violent man. {Pr.3:31}

It is virtually impossible for anybody in the world today to avoid being wronged in some way by somebody or something. And it is natural (in the most literal sense of the word) that the flesh will rise up in protest and seek, or more likely, demand redress. And generally even more often desire revenge. It seems more rewarding! However, the Lord as always has a plan and it always includes dealing with evil, righting wrongs and caring for His family, and it is always a plan for life and blessing. {Jer.29:11}

The Plan:
First and foremost, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary to pay the price for each and every sin ever committed. Considering the fact that He was sinless—the only sinless one—it is surely the greatest example of being wronged in the history of mankind. His response on that cross of Calvary was to pray, “Father, forgive them!” That of course is the greatest “right” in the history of man. The price is the same for each and every person, man or woman, and for every deed, small or large—DEATH. For just as the Word says, 'the wages of sin is death'. {Rom.6:23} However, all any person has to do now is to choose the free gift of eternal life, His name is Jesus! {Jn.14:6}

Secondly, the Lord God has given the rulers of the world both the authority and the command to punish evildoers. It is their ministry, although they often do not seem to be great at it. {1Pt.2:12-13 & Rom.13:3-4} It is however a true blessing that God has given us the ultimate plan to deal with those who do evil to us all on our own…

Third, Jesus has commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. {Mat.5:45} And the way that is done looks like this:

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21)

BE IMITATORS OF GOD AND WALK IN LOVE