The Avenger
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord, teach me today what it means to live in You, to rest in You and to hope in You. Shape Your grace around my inmost needs.
Read PSALM 94
1 The Lord is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“If all our inward thoughts on Monday were somehow posted on the internet Tuesday, we would lose all our friends. We think we can hide our cruel, envious, lustful thoughts, but God sees (11)” (Tim Keller).
How should we respond to the growing epidemic of terrorism in our world? Some think the answer is to close borders. Others think that dropping bombs will solve the problem. Even though I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the daily news of suicide attacks, I’ve made it part of my weekly prayer pattern to pray against the evil of groups like ISIS, Boko Haram and the Taliban. This psalm is a helpful model.
The first thing we notice is that it wasn’t just a difference of opinion that led to this prayer, like an irritating personality in our work or church. The psalmist’s world was filled with wicked, arrogant and evil people (3,4) who were destroying God’s people and the most vulnerable in society (5,6). Strong prayer like this is reserved for those who are truly God’s enemies, not just ours. Second, the psalmist’s view of God included the idea that he, not humans, was the ultimate Avenger (1), the only one with the power and ability to right all wrong (8–11). Any response to evil must begin there.
Finally, however, the psalmist realized that no one is perfect; all of us need the Lord’s discipline at times (12). Sadly, until Jesus returns to defeat evil once and for all (Rev. 19:11—20:10), there will be situations that require us to pray, “Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve” (2). Even so, it should be done with a humility that comes from knowing that even Bible-believing followers of Christ need his mercy too. Our terrorism-filled world forces us to hold in tension Psalm 94 with Jesus’ challenge, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:43,44).
Apply
Sometime today, look at a newspaper or news website and select one story to pray about.
Closing prayer
Lord, sometimes my mind is filled with futile thoughts. Forgive me for thoughts that only darken my heart. Let Your light shine into every darkened corner and fill me with Your joy.
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