Prayer blog from Moscow
1/27/2011 11:04:34 AM
By Bob Bronkema
Chaplain at the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy
I am currently in the midst of writing a daily Romans devotional that is an attempt at providing our prayer partners and men’s group with something to chew on from Scripture as they go out into the world in peace. The daily part of it hasn’t been quite as successful as we had hoped, but we persevere.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21 esv
Today’s Scripture was taken from Romans 12:19-21. Now take that Scripture and see if there is any possible, practical and sane way to interpret it in light of the horrific bombing that took place over the week. Just so we are clear, all of us have something at stake here. One of our young members suffered shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs and is still in the hospital. Praise God that he is expected to fully recover. Two other members were on the train to Domo when the blast occurred. Again, thank God for safety and protection.
But in light of very real danger, is God really telling us to overcome evil with good? Can God really mean that we should never seek vengeance even if it is done legally, through the correct means, and in a civilized way? Or do we just chalk this off as another impractical, unrealistic Bible verse that would be better to skip. I don’t think so.
After 9-11, I preached on this verse. Right in the midst of a passionate confession that I wanted vengeance (after all my brother was supposed to be working in the towers and it wasn’t until about five hours later that we found out that he had called in sick), two F-15s flew over the river on which the church was nestled and buzzed the building. It was frightening. Children drew close to their parents. Parents had that concerned look on their faces of an unsure future, and grown men and women obviously wanted someone’s head to roll for what had happened over the week.
If our primary purpose of life is to glorify God in all that we do and say, then how do we glorify God after an event such as this in which the international community is specifically targeted? I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The metro bombings were geared toward attacking a specific demographic group that wasn’t necessarily international. An airport bombing hits the other side of our congregation in a very real and scary way. None of us is immune to the frailty and fickleness of life.
At the benediction every Sunday I repeat the same words: “Go out into the world in peace and return no one evil for evil …” No one said it would be easy, but that is what we are called to do. I am talking not just to individuals that I know are reading this but also to the individuals that make decisions for companies and governments. How can we separate these words and only have them apply to our spousal relationships, work relationships or relationships with our friends? If we apply them in our entire lives then they will also impact and affect geo-political relationships and events. After all, the behemoth does not make the decision, the people in the institutions and organizations do.
This week I want to see how each of us is able to return good when we receive evil. I am convinced that we will be surprised at how people will react. We already have preconceived ideas that people will take advantage of any kindness that we offer. This is especially true within the Russian context. But let me remind you of some words that a great man once said: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
How trite and cliché, I know. But, if any of us say that we come from Christian nations then we are called to act as Christ commanded us, especially in Matthew 5:38-48. These are probably some of the most counter-cultural verses that we find in Scripture, and yet they are still Scripture and carry the authority of God.
I pray that this week you will be safe and will find ways in which to reach out with Christ’s love to those whom you have considered your enemy.
Bob Bronkema is a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister serving as the Chaplain in Moscow. He and his wife, Stacy, both attended Princeton Theological Seminary.