How Long Will The Wicked Be Allowed To Gloat?

HOW LONG WILL THE WICKED BE ALLOWED TO GLOAT?

a prayer to open

In the midst of my pain, Lord, I cry out to you.

When darkness overwhelms and the light has faded,

lead me in the way of hope, and grant me eyes to see your goodness.

O LORD, the God of vengeance,

O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!

Arise, O Judge of the earth.

Give the proud what they deserve.

How long, O LORD?

How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?

How long will they speak with arrogance?

How long will these evil people boast?

They crush your people, LORD,

hurting those you claim as your own.

They kill widows and foreigners

and murder orphans.

“The LORD isn’t looking,” they say,

“and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.”

Think again, you fools!

When will you finally catch on?

Is he deaf—the one who made your ears?

Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?

He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you?

He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing?

The LORD knows people’s thoughts;

he knows they are worthless!

Joyful are those you discipline, LORD,

those you teach with your instructions.

You give them relief from troubled times

until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.

The LORD will not reject his people;

he will not abandon his special possession.

Judgment will again be founded on justice,

and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.

We see victims of suffering, hardship, oppression, and injustice. What about the oppressors and perpetrators? They too are something we can lament. So often it seems as if the unjust, bullies, and oppressors are holding their heads high and being lifted up for their evil acts. Psalm 94 teaches us to call out to God in the face of evil and ask him to make things right. As for us, we are not to repay evil with evil or take revenge but rather to overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:19-21).

• As you read today’s lament, who came to mind? Pray the words as your own.
• As you consider more closely the perpetrators of hurt, oppression, and injustice in our day, what vengeful or vindictive thoughts or actions (even if minor) do you need to confess or seek forgiveness for?
• How is God calling you to participate in what he’s doing to restore and redeem even the oppressors and perpetrators of harm in our world?

God, grant us relief from the wicked. Disempower people who oppress, demean, and enslave. Look upon us with compassion and grace. Let your justice reign! Restore us all! Come, Lord Jesus.