Today’s Reading, Obadiah 1 & Psalms 82-83
Focal Scripture: Psalms 83:16-17 “Cover their faces with shame so that they will seek your name, Lord. Let them be put to shame and terrified forever; let them perish in disgrace.”
How do you pray for your enemies and those who have done you wrong? In our culture we often make statements that go against what is natural and even justifiable. I have had people say that we shouldn’t want our enemies to experience justice and even retribution from the Lord. Certain people said that it is unbiblical to want people who have done me wrong to experience shame and conviction. That I just need to let it go and not think about the injustices that they have caused.
In one sense I agree, people who have done you wrong should not consume the majority of your thinking and be the topic of conversation. However, when you see them have success knowing the evil they have perpetrated, it is biblical and right to pray that God hold them to account.
In today’s reading we see this happen in the scriptures. We see nations and leaders who have done evil to Israel. The prayer is to cover their face with shame so that they will seek out the Lord. The author of this Psalm even says that he wants these enemies to be put to shame and terrified. Why? Because they are advocates of evil who don’t hold up godly principles.
I don’t hold onto frustration very much in my life but I do struggle when justice has not been administered. When open sin and rebellion against the Lord’s clear teachings seem to be rewarded by the world and even people inside the church.
I have been praying lately that certain people and an organization be held accountable for their blatant sin and cover ups. The man in charge has verbally and spiritually abused many people. Leadership is aware and instead of holding this man to account, they have made excuses for his sin. These same people then turned and told untruths about me when I left. Why? To protect the reputation of the organization and not deal with people because appearances matter more than truth.
These same leaders are not aware that the problem individual has gossiped and bad mouthed all of them behind closed doors. He even bad mouthed the organization and how sorry they were and he was the only reason anything was successful.
So my prayer has been that this man and organization will experience judgement and be exposed. Not because I want people to suffer but because justice needs to happen. A place that doesn’t tell the truth and covers up sin in leadership is not honoring to the Lord.
If you find yourself struggling, it’s ok to pray that God brings them to a place of shame and deals with them accordingly to his word. The psalms are full of writing about the wicked being dealt with when it looks like they are being successful.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Kings 1-4
