Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. Psalm 37:7-11 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, thank you for the great hope of this Psalm. We are so ready for the Day of perfect and pervasive love. How long, O Lord… how Lord before you send Jesus back to eradicate all evil? How long before “the wicked will be no more”? How much longer is “just a little while”?
Today, this Scripture has incredible relevance to me personally, as I wake up in Krakow, Poland. In a few hours, I’ll tour Auschwitz and the Salt Mines with good friends. I know it’s going to be overwhelming, sobering, and numbing. Help us as we see, smell, and touch the unparalleled evil of that chapter in world history; but also as we consider ongoing expressions of overt wickedness.
Father, it’s hard not to fret, feel angry, and be anxious when synagogues, grocery stores, and schools become arenas for murder. When one group of image bearers of God claim supremacy over all others. When “bad traffic” has nothing to do with driving to work, but with the selling of women and children for sex.
We don’t pray today from a posture of innocence and arrogance, but with intense hunger and thirst. May your Kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven… soon.
We’re not looking to the next election for our hope, but to Jesus’ resurrection and return. Until that Day, show us how to live and love to your glory. Vengeance belongs to you; hope belongs to us.
Grant us wisdom to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with you. Replace our frets with faith, our worry with worship, and our world-weariness with gospel-engagement. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and grace-full name.