Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Psalm 90-95
Psalm 94:3
Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
How long indeed! It seems that the wicked have the upper hand, but things are not always what they seem. The very first verse of this psalm makes a declarative statement that must always be remembered O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth… Vengeance belongs to the Lord God. Paul stated such in Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Yes, vengeance belongs to God, it is His prerogative and His alone.
But how long? That is the question for those who have been injured by the wicked. For them, His vengeance is too long in coming, yet for the wicked it takes place all too soon. But for the Lord, His timing is perfect. Of all the things that our Lord is, He is also longsuffering, not willing that any should perish (II Peter 3:9). Consider the wicked queen, Jezebel; the Lord gave her space to repent but she didn’t (Revelation 2:21). His desire is for the wicked sinner to come to Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This takes time in some cases. For those that have been hurt by the wicked, consider the Apostle Paul. He suffered many things at the hands of his enemies, yet earnestly desired the salvation of them all (Romans 10:1).
We know that God wants to save sinners. but we know something else too. We know when God will judge the wicked. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12 The great white throne judgment is the time for that. Yes, in this life there may be a measure of divine vengeance poured out on the wicked, but that is nothing in comparison to the eternal lake of fire that Revelation 20 mentions.
Until then, suffer the hurt, wait for the time, but pray for your enemies, love them, bless them, and do good unto them just like Jesus told us to do in Matthew 5:44-45. By doing so we are most like our Father in Heaven.
This is difficult to do, but manifold blessings await those who do, here now, and forever.
Dr. William T. Howe
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