VINDICATION

VINDICATION

 

The Lord is known by His justice . . . (Psalm 9:16).

 

           

SOMETIMES THE CONFLICT OF BATTLE seems to press in upon us until panic wants to set in. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 4, times when we are “hard pressed on every side . . . perplexed . . . persecuted . . . struck down .

. .” These can be periods of confusion and fear; God can seem distant and uninterested. We feel alone.

           

The Psalmist found out that God works His justice in His time. “ . . .weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) The very ground upon which today we may be trembling with anxiety, we can one day be found worshipping with celebration; it is the in-between time that can seem so dark.

           

The heart of this Psalm is the triumph of God. What confidence it generates for our life. There are victories proclaimed after the fact—when the smoldering ashes bear witness of the strong arm of God that has been exercised on our behalf. Other times, we can take heart asserting the confidence of triumph that awaits us and the victory that is assured by God’s hand of justice.

           

The echoes of this chapter sustain us. “The Lord reigns forever . . .” “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed . . .” “The Lord is known by His justice . . .” What hope and confidence it generates that God does and will vindicate His servants in the battles of life.

 

—Harry F. Wood

 

In the dark of the night take hope in the promise of a sunrise.