“Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee …” (Psalm 94:20)
Men are filled with malice. They hurt those who have hurt them. They take pleasure in “payback.” Their warped sense of justice disqualifies them from taking vengeance.
Vengeance belongs to God alone, not only because His reward is just, but because He takes no pleasure in the pain of the punished. All of His judgment is meant to instruct; firstly, the person upon whom His rod comes; secondly, those who are watching. The transgressor is set forth as an example for others to learn from. “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware …” (Prov. 19:25) “And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.” (Deut. 13:11)
Men are very bad at playing God. For good reason He doesn’t want any god beside Him. Unlike men, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut. 32:3,4) We have much to learn sitting at the feet of the God who is without iniquity. He is light and in Him is not darkness at all. Only when we share His heart can we share His throne.