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By Joel Osteen - Mar 19, 2021
We all have to deal with unfair situations and people who do us wrong. You can't live very long without someone talking badly about you or leaving you out, without being cheated in a business deal or having a friend not keep their word. A lady told me how a coworker spread rumors about her, which kept her from a promotion. It doesn't seem right when you're being your best and someone else's choices put you at a disadvantage and set you back. But God says, "Justice belongs to Me. I will repay the exact compensation owed you. I will settle the accounts of My people" (Hebrews 10:30).

God sees who did you wrong and what it cost you. He is saying, "Don't worry. I'm going to pay you back. I'm going to make it up to you." You don't have to get even or vindicate yourself. The Most High God is going to settle your account. You are not at the mercy of how other people have treated you. They don't control your destiny. Stay encouraged, for your time is coming. God is not going to leave your account in a deficit. No, get ready. Payback is coming. God is a just God. You don't have to settle your account; He's going to do it for you.

This is what happened to Jacob in the Scripture. For twenty years Jacob did the right thing and worked faithfully for his father-in-law, Laban. But Laban was continually deceitful, dishonest, manipulative, and conniving in his agreements with Jacob. Because of God's favor on Jacob, Laban became rich. Nevertheless Laban tried to hold Jacob back and decreased his wages ten times. But one day God said to Jacob, "I have seen how Laban has treated you" (Genesis 31:12). Because Jacob kept passing the test, taking the high road, God blessed Jacob with a sudden increase in his flocks to amazing abundance. What was that? Payback time.

Don't be discouraged over what it looks like you're losing, how you're being shortchanged, not getting what you deserve. God knows what you're owed. When you come into your payback time, you'll see sudden increase, unusual growth, extraordinary blessing. Now here's the key: Don't look to people to make it up to you; look to God. That person who hurt you or the company that let you go can't pay you back the way God is going to pay you back. If you get it from people, it's going to be less than what it should have been. You have to pass the test of not being vindictive. That's not a battle you're supposed to fight. Let the Most High God settle your account.
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