Text: Psalm 94:1-7
In this psalm of lament, the Psalmist does not understand why it seems that the Lord does nothing to protect the most vulnerable of society—the widow, the sojourner, and the fatherless—while the evildoers prey on them. He cries, “O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?” (verse 3).
The Psalmist doesn’t have much hope for justice. The Lord doesn’t give him a timeline when justice will come. The Lord simply informs him that justice will come. The Lord will bring his justice and wipe out the evildoers from their wickedness (verse 23).
Like the Psalmist, we see evildoers preying on the most vulnerable in society. Because of “choice,” they murder the young. Because of “euthanasia,” they murder the old. In our anguish, we too cry to the Lord asking, “How long will these senseless killings last?”
The Lord heard the lament of the Psalmist and He hears ours. He gives the same response, which is both frustrating and comforting. It’s frustrating that He doesn’t tell us when justice will occur. It’s comforting, however, that justice will occur. On this side of eternity, we can’t resolve the “when” with the “that.” We simply hope that at His appointed time, the Lord will bring His justice and wipe all wickedness from the face of the earth.
Let us pray: O Lord, preserve and protect the most vulnerable ones, and curb the evil desires of those who would destroy them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Lyle Buettner, Sem II)
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
κήρυξον τὸν λόγον. Preach the Word.