DAILY TEXT, Saturday, August 10, 2024, “Vengeance is mine; I will give them what they deserve,” says Jehovah (Rom. 12:19).

DAILY TEXT, Today Saturday, August 10, 2024, “Vengeance is mine; I will give them what they deserve,” says Jehovah (Rom. 12:19).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Saturday August 10,  2024

“Vengeance is mine; I will give them what they deserve,” says Jehovah (Rom. 12:19).

Let us leave revenge in the hands of Jehovah. Jehovah has not given us permission to take revenge on those who sin against us (Rom. 12:20, 21). Because we are imperfect and our vision is so limited, we do not have Jehovah’s ability to judge matters well. (Heb. 4:13) Also, sometimes we let feelings cloud our reason. James wrote by inspiration: “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). We can be sure that Jehovah will do what is right and see that justice is done. When we forgive, we show that we trust in Jehovah's justice. If we leave matters in his hands, we demonstrate that we are convinced that he will repair all the damage that sin has caused. In the new world he has promised, emotional wounds “will never again be remembered or come to the heart” (Isa. 65:17). w22.06 10, 11 paras. 11, 12

How do we show that we trust in Jehovah's justice?      

When we forgive, we show that we trust in Jehovah's justice. If we leave matters in his hands, we demonstrate that we are convinced that he will repair all the damage that sin has caused. In the new world he has promised, emotional wounds “will never again be remembered or come to the heart” (Isa. 65:17). But is it really possible to get rid of anger and resentment when someone has hurt us a lot? Let's see how some have achieved it.         

What does Tony and José's experience teach you?

Many of our brothers decided to forgive even people who hurt them a lot. How has doing so benefited you?

Let's look at the case of Tony,c who lives in the Philippines. Many years before becoming a Jehovah's Witness, he lost one of his older brothers. He learned that he had been murdered by a man named Joseph. Since Tony was aggressive and violent, he wanted revenge. They put José in prison for the crime he had committed. When José got out of jail, Tony swore that he would find him and kill him, so he bought himself a gun. But then he began taking Bible classes with Jehovah's Witnesses. He remembers: “As I studied, I learned that I had to change my way of being. I had to get rid of the anger.” Tony was baptized and eventually became an elder in his congregation. What a surprise he had when he learned that Joseph had also become one of Jehovah's Witnesses! When they met, they gave each other a big hug and Tony told José that he had forgiven him. Tony says he has no words to describe the immense joy he felt when he forgave Joseph. This Christian knew how to forgive, and Jehovah blessed him for that.

What does Peter and Sue's experience teach you?

In 1985, Peter and Sue were at their meeting at the Kingdom Hall when a violent explosion suddenly occurred. A man had planted a bomb in the Hall. Because of her serious injuries, Sue lost her sense of smell and suffered permanent damage to her sight and hearing.d This couple often asked themselves, “Who could have done something so terrible?” Many years later, the culprit, who was not a Jehovah's Witness, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Peter and Sue were asked if they had forgiven him, and they responded: “Jehovah teaches us that feeling anger and holding resentment can hurt us physically, emotionally, and mentally. So, from the very beginning, we asked Him to help us get rid of the anger and resentment to move forward.”

Has it been easy for this marriage to forgive? Not always. Let's see what they say. “From time to time we feel anger again when Sue suffers from the consequences of what happened. But, as we try not to dwell on the matter, those feelings quickly disappear. Furthermore, we can say with our hearts in our hands that, if one day that man were to become our brother, we would welcome him to Jehovah's people. This experience has taught us that biblical principles really do take a great weight off our shoulders. They free us much more than we imagine. We also take comfort in knowing that Jehovah will soon repair all the damage.”

What does Myra's experience teach you?

Myra came to know Jehovah when she was already married and had two small children, but her husband did not accept the truth. Over time, he was unfaithful and abandoned her family. Myra remembers: “When my husband left us, I was shocked. He had the mix of feelings that many who suffer betrayal feel: distrust, pain, regret, guilt and fury. Although her marriage ended, the pain of betrayal was still alive. Myra adds: “I continued to feel this way for months, and I realized that it was harming my relationship with Jehovah and with others.” Now, Myra, she can say that she no longer feels that anger and that she does not wish her ex-husband anything bad. Rather, she hopes that one day he will accept the truth. Myra focuses on the future, not the past. Although she had to raise her two children alone in the truth, today she enjoys serving Jehovah with them and their families.

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