The Voice of Vengeance

"God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies." Nahum 1:2

"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

I was once rebuked for stating that, like Spurgeon, I would not ever think to try to defend the Lord, the He is fully capable of defending Himself without my feeble attempts at help. They quote 1 Peter 3:15 (But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:) in saying that we ought to defend the Gospel, depending on which Bible you are reading from. However, I offer up my explanation. Yes, we are, per 1 Peter 3:15, suppose to always be prepared to give answer to those who would ask us about our faith, our beliefs, and our blessed hope in Christ. Not only for the purpose of witnessing and winning souls, but for our preservation and defense (Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. ~v 16).

However, the LORD and His Holy Word do not NEED our defense! There is a difference between giving an answer for our faith, and defending God against the blasphemers and Pharisees of this world. After all "... the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Hebrews 4:12) and even the archangel Micheal would not contend with the devil in Jude 1:9, but rather gave place to the Lord! (Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.)

Too often we jump out in defense or offense of the Lord, when he has not called us to battle for His sake. The Lord is fully capable, He is just, and He will avenge. As it goes on to say in Nahum 1:3, the Lord is simply reserving His anger for the appropriate time, "The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

So what are we to do, as we wait on His sovereign ruling over the wicked?

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
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.
...
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 12:9-18, 20-21