Psalm 17:2 “May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.”

[Truly, vindication can only fully come from you, Lord, for only you know fully what is good. We can rest in that awesome truth that you see everything, both right and wrong, and love us anyway.

Your Word is clear on how we should trust you to deal with those who oppose us. As it says in the Old Testament, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psa. 37:1-4).

This concept is repeated more powerfully in the New Testament: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21).

In the picture here, the beauty of these leaves was revealed by the recent frost. Likewise, the beauty of the Lord is revealed in us through difficulties if we respond according to His Word.

Lord, help us to look to you for vindication and for dealing with those who treat us like their enemies. May our delight be in you, not in vengeance or winning. May you thusly be glorified before all those around us, especially before those who oppose us.

And right now, I am in the midst of such a conflict with a renter who sees me as the enemy, so I must apply all this personally! I praise you for how you will answer in faithfulness and righteousness and bring vindication.]

Epilogue: as I asked, the Lord gave wisdom through Psalm 37 (do good) in how to do good to this renter who treated me as an enemy, and he straightened out.