MY GOD WILL COME
I sing in our church choir and love it. I used to sing second soprano and did for years and years (since grammar school), but upon joining this choir I switched. I needed the challenge of learning the alto part. Before it was always very intimidating. Not so anymore. Altos rock.
Last night we began to sing a new song and one word stood out. Vengeance. It got me to thinking. What does it really mean? Is it revenge? Is it wanting God to push the smite button on someone because we’ve been hurt? Is it meant to obliterate another to wipe him/her off the map – our personal map?
Amazingly, yes. And more.
Which is shocking.
But, what’s even more shocking is what the psalmist is asking for – God’s justice to shine forth. Not regular justice, but glorious justice. When one hears the word glorious, many pictures pop into mind. Brilliance, splendor and majesty. Words to describe an indescribable God. He is beyond description, His justice is too.
We have enemies. Boy, do we have them. In fact, the Apostle Peter wrote about the leader of the pack in 1 Peter 5:8. Our enemy is prowling around like a lion looking to devour. Someone, anyone. And we are warned to be on our guard, stand firm and be strong in the Lord.
By standing firm in the LORD, we give God room to work, bring vengeance and to do it justly. I tend to fire, shoot, aim. Notice the wrong execution of that. I blast and blast at will, and the buckshot goes everywhere. Words misused, hurtful and shameful. But God has justice which is glorious and does a beautiful thing.
God desires for all to come to Him and for each to accept His free gift of salvation (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9) – me? I want justice served and discipline meted out. And someone needs to get hurt because I was hurt.
However, in reading through Scripture, God has the ultimate plan. Salvation. Restoration. Redemption. Justice.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
Praise God He is patient. Even when I am not. He suffers long and His arm is not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1). He knows our plight and He knows the suffering we encounter. Nothing is a surprise to Him. Nothing. He is Sovereign. He knows all.
Even my pain. Even shame, mockery and scorn thrown at me. He understands. His Son encountered all this, and more.
Having gone through a very difficult time, I was at a low when I sang that choir song last night. I felt like I had not a friend in the world. Family yes, and they have to be my friend. But, I was crying out for relief, help and yes, even vengeance. God, save me. Fight for me.
As I pondered this verse in Psalm 94:1 and reflected on Christ’s sacrifice for me on the Cross, I had a moment. A deep sense of who I am in Christ. I am nothing if it were not for Him. And these battle wounds? Are they worth the price if they bring me closer to Christ? Have I counted the cost and deemed my life worth nothing because Christ is more valuable? And in suffering for Him, can give it to Him? All to Him?
As Paul writes in Philippians 3:10, he wanted to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. Yikes. Wow. Who writes this kind of stuff? Someone who is sold out and has counted the cost. Someone who desired to go all in.
In our desire to follow Christ, we will be attacked unjustly. Mockery, shame, and insults will be flung. Yes, they are painful and yes, they sting. However, when we keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the arrows of the enemy, our eyes are fixed in the right place. The prize. The Lover of our souls. The Redeemer. The Righteous One. The Avenger. The Glorious One.
His name is Jesus.
Father God, thank You for fighting our battle for us. I aim recklessly. I aim to fight back, instead of loving and extending grace. You aim for Your glorious justice to be revealed. And this justice has redemption on its wings. You love unequivocally. You love without limits. Help me Lord, to do the same. And to get out of Your way. You are amazing. And worth my worship. In the name of Jesus. AMEN
