"God of... recompense"

“…for the LORD is the God of recompense, 
He will surely repay.” (Jeremiah 51:56b NKJV)

    Found within the prophecy against Babylon, foretelling their devastating fall from power and ultimate destruction, Jeremiah informs them that the LORD – the true holder of all power – is the God of recompense. The LORD who allowed them strength and power is the same LORD who has observed their murderous greed, their pride, and their wickedness and He will repay them for what they have done in the time He has granted them.

    “God of recompense,” like other terms we have recently looked at in this study, is found only once in scriptures but alluded to throughout the Bible. The overarching message? God wants us to lean on Him as the only true and proper Judge, trust in His knowledge and ability to do what is best, and leave our troubles with Him (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7).

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19, NKJV)

    When we have been mistreated we have God-given responsibilities:

• To not repay the evil (Romans 12:17) but follow in the steps of Jesus, who did not revile in return, nor threaten but turned wholly to God who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:18-24).
• Have regard for good things in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17). Jesus says to “bless those who curse you,” meaning that you speak only good things about the one who has spoken badly to/about you. Don’t go around bad-mouthing the one who mistreated you; remember ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.’ Pour your heart out to God instead, He is the only one who can properly transform your heart and mind as your work through your hurt.
• Live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18) as much as depends on you meaning that you seek peace (Matthew 5:9; 21-26) and speak peace (Proverbs 15:1, Colossians 4:5-6) – and ask God for wisdom to do this (James 1:5) because it is only wisdom from above that is pure and peaceable (James 3:13-18).   
• Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44) be kind and well-meaning, seeking only good for them (consider Mathew 22:37-40). Remember, if God can be patient and longsuffering with us to come to repentance, so we, too, can be patient and hope that our enemy may one day come to repentance and become a brother/sister in Christ – which is the ultimate good we could seek for them!
• Do good to those who hate you (Matthew 5:44) – consider Jesus’ kindness to Malchus amidst the angry mob and His kindness while hanging from the cross (Luke 23:34) – keep your focus on things above not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-10, Acts 7:54-60)
• Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44) whether it is by your government (1 Timothy 2:1-4) or a fellow citizen (1 Peter 2:18-20) we are to commit ourselves to God and pray for these people, because God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
• Do not avenge yourselves (Romans 12:19) leave it with God – He will know what is best to do and when is best to do it. And it is not our place to stand around imagining or anticipating ‘the wrath to come,’ but to go humbly about our duties (listed above) and commit ourselves wholly to doing God’s will.

    The LORD is the God of recompense, He will surely repay – let that be enough.  You fulfill your part and wholly trust that God will do His part. Don’t get caught up in society’s temporary badges of honour and applause for ‘a perfectly formed comeback,’ desire, instead, to hear God’s true commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”      

You can do it! So can I!!