Wrong minded folks can cause a peck of trouble.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Teton)
“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”
“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”
–Proverbs 21:15(NKJV)
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Is it wrong to pray against your enemies? We are supposed to forget, but really are we to forget? Can a leopard change its spots? The second part of Psalm 79, speaks of those who have been wrongfully persecuted. More than that it speaks of those who scoff and mock God. The cry comes out for justice. Lord, do not let them put Your name to shame.
9 — Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake!
10 — Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
11 — Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die;
12 — And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.
13 — So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations. (NKJV)
There are always questions regarding what is meant by “save.” Is it in the present tense of “now.” Save us now in the present world. And yes, I agree that is what Asaph was meaning, but God always has a bigger perspective than we do. We look for physical protection. Safety from those who would harm us, and that is as we should, but God offers “long-term support.” He is much more interested in protecting us for eternity.
My friend, there is a payback time. I really do not like to think of it no matter how much I would like to see someone face justice. That time is coming and it will be a dreadful time. There will be that Day of Judgment. That is one reason we are told to pray for our enemies. They face a severe wrath, and they will stand before an awesome, stern Judge.
God will allow His name to be sullied only so long. He will stand for the mockery and scoffing for only until the cup is full, then He will bring forth His righteous judgment. Read Proverbs 1:22-33–it shows a dreadful time. Simply put God is saying, “Mock me, I’ll mock you.” Verse 26, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes.” (NKJV) Man can only for so long attempt to play God. He can desire all he wants to be autonomous, and even come to the point saying, “there is no God.” They will not be able to stand before a righteous and holy God.
Yes there is trouble and sorrow and suffering right now. But the day is coming when we will live in the pasture of God’s love. Our enemies–God’s enemies–will no longer mock or speak for they will not be around. George O. Wood writes, “The desecration is for a short time. It will pass. But we, the sheep of His pasture, will praise Him forever.”
“He fills the poor with good,
He gives the sufferers rest;
The Lord hath judgments for the proud
And justice for the oppressed.”
–Isaac Watt
————————————
Is it wrong to pray against your enemies? We are supposed to forget, but really are we to forget? Can a leopard change its spots? The second part of Psalm 79, speaks of those who have been wrongfully persecuted. More than that it speaks of those who scoff and mock God. The cry comes out for justice. Lord, do not let them put Your name to shame.
9 — Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake!
10 — Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
11 — Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die;
12 — And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.
13 — So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations. (NKJV)
There are always questions regarding what is meant by “save.” Is it in the present tense of “now.” Save us now in the present world. And yes, I agree that is what Asaph was meaning, but God always has a bigger perspective than we do. We look for physical protection. Safety from those who would harm us, and that is as we should, but God offers “long-term support.” He is much more interested in protecting us for eternity.
My friend, there is a payback time. I really do not like to think of it no matter how much I would like to see someone face justice. That time is coming and it will be a dreadful time. There will be that Day of Judgment. That is one reason we are told to pray for our enemies. They face a severe wrath, and they will stand before an awesome, stern Judge.
God will allow His name to be sullied only so long. He will stand for the mockery and scoffing for only until the cup is full, then He will bring forth His righteous judgment. Read Proverbs 1:22-33–it shows a dreadful time. Simply put God is saying, “Mock me, I’ll mock you.” Verse 26, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes.” (NKJV) Man can only for so long attempt to play God. He can desire all he wants to be autonomous, and even come to the point saying, “there is no God.” They will not be able to stand before a righteous and holy God.
Yes there is trouble and sorrow and suffering right now. But the day is coming when we will live in the pasture of God’s love. Our enemies–God’s enemies–will no longer mock or speak for they will not be around. George O. Wood writes, “The desecration is for a short time. It will pass. But we, the sheep of His pasture, will praise Him forever.”
“He fills the poor with good,
He gives the sufferers rest;
The Lord hath judgments for the proud
And justice for the oppressed.”
–Isaac Watt