“Also, I give this order: If anyone changes this order, a wood beam is to be pulled from his house and driven through his body. Because of his crime, make his house a pile of ruins.
God has chosen Jerusalem as the place he is to be worshiped. May he punish any king or person who tries to change this order and destroy this Temple.
I, Darius, have given this order. Let it be obeyed quickly and carefully.
…
“So, Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their fellow workers carried out King Darius’ order quickly and carefully.” – Ezra 6:11-13
He will do so quickly and carefully. 😉
“…You might even be fighting against God himself!” – Acts 5:34-39
Use your hands to praise Him.
He’ll use His to protect you.
On a practical level, this reveals your faith in God.
Determine, and this takes practice, not to take your own vengeance. Remain ‘innocent of evil’.
“All the believers have heard that you obey, so I am very happy because of you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” – Romans 16:19
We tend to have and dwell on our own vengeance instead of releasing it to the Lord and allowing Him to bring about reconciliation and restoration.
THIS, trusting God and not plotting revenge, also contributes to your remaining a ‘CHILD of God,’ meaning that it allows you to retain a sense of joy, youthfulness, and giddiness in God because you are FREE to focus on God.
You are NOT expending energy on things that make you angry, bitter, frustrated, unforgiving, wrinkled, and old.
An hymn we sang in church, “Trust and Obey”, comes into play, here.
If I have determined, practiced, and disciplined myself to retain THIS focus, my thoughts will be, ‘true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.’
“Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” – Philippians 4:8
The enemy will stir you up to think thoughts outside of this scope and you will get old before your time.
“Do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.” – Micah 6:8
