Proverbs 20:22
“22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”;
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”
This weekend, I witnessed first-hand the frustration and anger that’s spreading throughout America.
Our land is trembling—not from natural disasters, but from human cruelty: families torn apart at borders, fear sown in the hearts of our immigrant neighbors, and a political figure—Donald Trump—whose policies and rhetoric have emboldened violence and dehumanization.
And yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to respond—not with vengeance, but with justice. Not with silence, but with courage. Today’s sermon centers on Proverbs 20:22: “Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”
Let us unpack how this verse calls us to righteous protest, not revenge. It challenges us to stand up to evil, even in high places, but to do so in a way that reflects the heart of God.
I. The Context of Evil: What We Are Witnessing in America
We cannot ignore what is happening in this nation. The ICE raids, especially under the Trump administration, targeted people indiscriminately—parents, children, workers, students—many of whom have lived here for years, contributing to our economy, our communities, and our churches. These are not “illegals.” They are human beings. Image-bearers of God.
Donald Trump’s immigration policies are not merely strict—they are cruel. From the caging of children to the dismantling of protections for Dreamers, these actions were rooted in a politics of fear, not faith. And as Christians, we are not called to fear strangers—we are called to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).
Yet, as we witness this evil, Proverbs 20:22 cautions us: Do not repay evil with evil. That means we are not called to violence. We are not called to hatred. But we are called to action.
II. Holy Protest: The Example of Jesus
Jesus was no stranger to protest. He flipped tables in the temple. He confronted hypocritical religious leaders. He spoke truth to power—even when it cost him his life. His life was a protest against injustice, against greed, against systems that harmed the poor and oppressed.
And yet, Jesus never responded with hate. His protest was always rooted in love, even fierce love. He didn’t repay evil with evil—He absorbed it, transformed it, and responded with divine justice.
We, too, are called to protest—not with fists, but with faith. Not with hate, but with hope. We must speak out against the sins of our nation: racism, xenophobia, and unjust deportations. But we must do so in a way that reflects the Kingdom of God.
III. “Wait for the Lord” – Not Passivity, But Faithful Resistance
Some might hear this verse and think it means we should stay silent. “Wait for the Lord,” they say. But waiting on the Lord is not the same as doing nothing.
Biblical waiting is active trust. It is a posture of resistance grounded in hope. It means marching in the streets, but not out of hate. It means showing up at courthouses, writing letters, feeding asylum seekers, offering sanctuary in our churches, and refusing to be silent while our neighbors are dragged away.
When we wait on the Lord, we resist the temptation to become the very evil we oppose. We do not become cruel to fight cruelty. We do not demonize to defeat demagogues. We stand in the truth that God will deliver, and we become part of that deliverance.
IV. Practical Steps for Righteous Protest
So how can we, as a church, live out this verse in today’s America?
- Educate Yourself and Others: Know what ICE is doing. Understand the policies being proposed. Learn how immigration laws affect real families in your neighborhood.
- Support Immigrant Families: Offer housing, meals, legal aid, or simply friendship. Let no one feel alone.
- Peacefully Protest: Join marches. Attend city council meetings. Let your voice be heard, but let your tone be one of grace and truth.
- Pray Without Ceasing: Not just for the victims, but for those in power. Pray that hearts would be softened, and that justice would roll down like waters.
- Speak Truth in Love: Call out the lies and fearmongering, but remember that even our enemies are loved by God. Speak truth, but do not gloat in your own righteousness.
V. Conclusion: The Deliverance Is Coming
Proverbs 20:22 is a reminder that God sees injustice. He sees every deported mother, every crying child, every racist law passed in His name. And He will deliver.
But in the meantime, He has placed us here—to be salt and light. To be voices for the voiceless. To protest not out of bitterness, but out of love. Not because we hate America, but because we love it enough to demand better.
Donald Trump may sit in seats of power again, but we answer to a higher throne. ICE may wear government-issued badges, but our citizenship is in heaven.
So let us protest—with peace in our hearts, fire in our bones, and Scripture in our mouths.
Do not repay evil with evil; wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.
To God be all the glory, now and forever.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
God of justice and mercy,
We come to You with heavy hearts for our brothers and sisters who live in fear—fear of raids, of separation, of silence.
Give us the courage to speak truth with love, to protest with compassion, and to stand boldly against injustice without becoming bitter.
Teach us to wait on You—not with passivity, but with faithful resistance. Fill our hands with kindness, our mouths with wisdom, and our hearts with the fire of Your justice.
May we be instruments of Your peace in a broken land.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
