A God Who Avenges

Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalms. 94; Ephesians 5

“O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Psalm 94:1-3

The Lord God Almighty is both the source and final expression of justice. It is true; the Lord is a God who avenges. However, he is also a God who loves mercy. In our prayers for justice and vengeance in the lives of others, we sometimes forget we are deserving of that same justice for our sin. God’s mercy to us, in Christ, is still offered to everyone. Justice will ultimately triumph, but it will be expressed in love, even as Christ absorbed the wrath of a holy God against sin, and lovingly forgave those who put him on the cross. We can trust that God will bring to justice every sin and all evil, and will vanquish every foe.

Do we influence the timing of God’s vengeance against sin through our prayers?

Our only standing before the throne of grace is by the mercy and forgiveness of Christ and his blood for us. “Venting” through prayer might help us more than others. We can trust the God of justice and his timing and his mercy.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy toward me, for your glory.”