by Rogath Henry | 8 June 2020 08:46 pm06
Shalom!
Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome as we study the Word of God.
We may often wonder — why do angels, though mighty in strength and authority, not use their full power when confronting Satan? Why do they instead leave judgment to God, even when they possess the authority to act?
The Scriptures give us deep insight into this. One such example is the vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan standing beside him to accuse him. Even though Satan is eternally cursed, the angel did not curse him directly but said:
Zechariah 3:1–2
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’”
Here we see that even in conflict, the angel left all judgment to God.
Another example is when Michael the Archangel contended with the devil over the body of Moses. Even though Satan was already condemned, Michael did not pronounce judgment himself but entrusted the matter to the Lord:
Jude 1:9
“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”
What a profound lesson in humility and divine order! Even the highest angels submit judgment to God. They recognize that vengeance and justice belong to Him alone.
Scripture further reveals that holy angels, though far greater in power and authority than humans, still refrain from bringing accusations or curses even against those who rebel:
2 Peter 2:11–12
“Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption.”
Even when angels witness the sins and disobedience of men, they report before God with reverence, never out of wrath or hatred. This is an example for us, teaching that judgment belongs to God alone.
This truth calls us, as children of God, to walk in the same spirit of humility. When people oppose or wrong us, when we are slandered or falsely accused — how should we respond? Should we curse or wish evil upon them?
Sadly, many believers fill their prayers with vengeance: “Lord, strike my enemies, let them fall, disgrace them, destroy them.” Yet the Lord never taught us to pray this way.
Instead, He commanded:
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Michael the archangel could have easily destroyed Satan, but he chose submission to divine authority. Likewise, when others speak evil against us, we should respond with mercy, not malice.
Those who constantly accuse others and harbor hatred follow the way of Cain, who murdered his brother; the greed of Balaam, who sought gain through unrighteousness; and the rebellion of Korah, who opposed God’s appointed servants.
Jude 1:10–11
“But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
A true servant of God does not rejoice in the downfall of others. The Word says clearly:
Proverbs 24:17–18
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.”
Let this be a lesson to us — to remain gentle, prayerful, and focused on God’s purpose instead of vengeance.
Our calling is not to bring down others but to lift up Christ. When faced with opposition, entrust it to the Lord, for He alone is the righteous Judge.
Remember what the Scripture says:
Romans 12:19
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
The mark of true humility is when a believer, though wronged, leaves everything to God’s hands. Such faith honors the Lord more than any words of retaliation ever could.
Dear brother or sister, there will always be people who rise against you, just as Satan stood against Joshua and Michael. But do not repay evil with evil. Do not curse those who wrong you.
Leave all things to God, and focus on fulfilling His purpose in your life — to seek His Kingdom and reflect His love.
When you respond with humility instead of hatred, you reflect the nature of Christ Himself.
May the Lord bless you and fill your heart with peace and gentleness.
“The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!” (Zechariah 3:2)
Shalom.
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