God’s Vengeance

There are two sides in this adventure of existence on earth. In every story written, movie produced, historical event, and our own lives there involves a villain and the good person. Humanity expresses God’s metanarrative of evil and righteousness through our art, theater, and literature. Since the beginning of creation, the choice of allegiance has been between evil and righteousness. Sides are chosen which results in a battle of contrasting motives. Evil’s motive, orchestrated by satan, embraces stealing, killing, and destroying, while in contrast, the righteous preserve life with the guidance of the Lord (John 10:10).

Over the years we have seen a great deal of destruction on humanity. We have witnessed a massive attempt to steal freedoms, health, and resources. Violence continues to escalate, diseases have taken the lives of many, and food shortages have caused riots and starvation. While this devastation continues, evil people continue to prosper and gain wealth and power.

While these are difficult times we are living in, the circumstances are not new. David wrote a Psalm that captures the juxtaposition of evil and righteousness.

Psalm 58 is constructed into three parts:

1) Verses 1-5: The character of evil people: They work unrighteousness; are wicked from birth; speak lies; spew venom like snakes; and close their ears like cobras to warnings of seduction.

2) Verses 6-9: Prayers to God against the evil people: To shatter their teeth; break off their fangs (their bite is meaningless); that they end up in the sewer; when they take a shot at the righteous their bullets are blanks and harmless; they melt away; they die before they can flourish.

3) Verses 10 -11: The response of God’s people: “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he (we) will wash his (our) feet in the blood of the wicked. And men (people) will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!””

Evil people will be exposed as powerless, weak, and insignificant. A day is coming when the righteous people will rejoice and see God take down the wicked one by one. Stay strong in righteousness and know that the Lord will eventually destroy all evil.