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Read: 2 Timothy 4:14-15
Listen: 2 Timothy 4

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the metalworker was more than just against Paul and his message. Somehow, Alexander hurt Paul so painfully that Paul thinks it is necessary to warn Timothy. He tells Timothy to stay away from him and to be “on his guard” whenever he is around. Alexander is one bad dude. Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to take vengeance against him. Instead, he tells Timothy to let God take care of Alexander. Paul’s instruction matches what he says in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written [in Deuteronomy 32:35]: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’”

There are two things we need to note here. First, there are people we need to stay away from and love from afar because they can be hurtful. Second, we can give these people to the Lord when they hurt us. We don’t have to get even on our own. Taking this posture requires trusting God to handle it. It’s not our problem to fix. It’s God’s job to make sure it is taken care of. Because he is the all-knowing and all-wise God, we can trust he will.

TODAY: Has someone done something to you that you need to release to God? A situation you need to trust God to take care of? Pray a prayer like this one: “Father, I have held on to feelings of vengeance against ___________ for too long. I pray for your Spirit to help me turn this situation over to you to have justice done. Amen.”

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read 2 Samuel 19-20. Highlight anything that points to Jesus.