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)
Dear heavenly Father, it’s beginning to feel like another day, another story of terror-making, evil-doing, life-taking madness. 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”?
It’s hard not to fret. It’s hard not to feel fearful and angry when women, children, and the elderly are slaughtered in African villages; when the streets and markets of Paris become the venue for the perversion of religion and the murder of your image bearers; when your church and children are being subjected to unconscionable persecution.
Father, I offer my prayer, not as an arrogant man judging the sins of others to be more reprehensible than my own; but as a longing man, so ready for the fulfillment of your promises for a world of shalom—an eternity of abundant peace in the new heaven and new earth. Until that Day, grant me grace not to be a man of anger and revenge, but a man of peace and prayer. Vengeance belongs to you, not to me.
Grant me wisdom to know what loving mercy, doing justice, and walking humbly with you looks like in our community. Replace my frets and fears with faith and trust, and my anger and wrath with patience and courage. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and grace-full name.
