A man cheated on his wife, then walked away from his family, children, and church. The wife prayed that God would make him pay for his betrayal. We long to see people pay for doing wrong. And while many actions may be crimes against the state requiring state prosecution, the Bible instructs us to leave vengeance in God’s hands. Long ago the prophet Habakkuk was complaining God would let Babylon get way with wickedness and not face punishment for mistreating his people. He thought if Babylon got away with inflicting pain on Israel, they would boast that their gods did it and Yahweh would look impotent and powerless. So the prophet asked in chapter 1, “Will you let them get away with this forever?” God assured the prophet in a vision that Babylon would be punished. Then God said, “Write my answer plainly on tablets.” “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.” So then and now, God punishes violations of His moral laws, even though we do not know when nor how He chooses to do so.
