The Bible extensively explores divine vengeance and how God protects His faithful followers. This subject revolves around the revelation of God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness when individuals sincerely seek Him and cry out to Him in distress.
To find a Bible verse representing this promise, refer to Luke 18:7-9.
“And will not God bring justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will quickly see that they get justice. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-9, NIV)
This passage highlights God’s assurance of justice for His elect. To further explore this promise, let us delve into various scriptures where God has responded to His people’s cries, providing them with deliverance and avenging them against their adversaries.
Old Testament Examples of Divine Vengeance and Justice
- Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3:7–10)
The story of the Israelites in Egypt serves as a prime example of God’s vengeance towards those who harm His people. After enduring years of slavery and oppression, the cries of the Israelites reached God’s ears.
“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…’” (Exodus 3:7-8, NIV)
God’s response was to raise Moses as a leader to confront Pharaoh and perform miracles, culminating in the Exodus—a divine act of vengeance against the oppressors and a testament to His faithfulness to His people.
2. Hannah’s Prayer for a Son (1 Samuel 1:9–20)
Hannah’s heartfelt prayer for a child is another vivid example of God responding to the cries of His people. Despite years of barrenness and provocation from her rival, Hannah cried out to the Lord.
“Hannah prayed to the Lord in her deep anguish, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…’” (1 Samuel 1:10-11, NIV)
God answered her prayer, and she bore a son, Samuel, who would become a great prophet and judge over Israel. This story underscores the personal nature of God’s intervention and His willingness to act on behalf of those who are faithful and persistent in their prayers.
New Testament Assurance of Divine Justice
3. The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8)
The parable of the persistent widow, which includes Luke 18:7-9, directly addresses the theme of God’s timely justice.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town, a judge neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And a widow in that town kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” For some time, he refused. But finally, he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!”‘” (Luke 18:1–5, NIV)
The main point of this parable is to emphasize that if an unjust judge can be swayed to take action through relentless pleading, then a righteous and loving God will surely be even more responsive to His children’s unwavering prayers.
Additional Scriptural Examples of God’s Vengeance and Answered Prayers
4. The Deliverance of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:14–37)
When King Hezekiah faced the threat of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, he prayed to God. The Lord’s response was swift and decisive.
“That night, the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand people in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!” (2 Kings 19:35, NIV)
God heard Hezekiah’s plea and acted decisively to protect His people and avenge them against their enemies.
5. The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9–10)
Jabez is remembered for his bold prayer, asking God to bless and expand his territory to keep him from harm.
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)
This account shows that God is attentive to the prayers of those who call on Him in faith, providing protection and blessing.
6. The Early Church’s Prayer for Peter (Acts 12:5–17)
When King Herod imprisoned Peter, the early church prayed for his release. God responded miraculously.
“So Peter was imprisoned, but the church earnestly prayed to God for him. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” (Acts 12:5, 7, NIV)
Peter’s miraculous escape from prison underscores God’s readiness to deliver and protect His servants in response to the faithful’s prayers.
Conclusion
The scriptures consistently affirm that God hears the cries of His people and acts on their behalf. From the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt to personal petitions like those of Hannah and Jabez to the protection of leaders and apostles, the Bible is replete with examples of God’s faithfulness in avenging and delivering His children. Luke 18:7-9 is a powerful reminder that God is and will ensure that His chosen ones receive justice. It challenges believers to maintain faith and persist in prayer, assured that God is attentive to their pleas and will act in His perfect timing.