“How Long Will the Wicked Triumph” (Ps 94)

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs––O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? (vs1-3)

It is foolish to think that God doesn't see, as if He who created the eye is blind, as if He gave you ears, but He can't hear justice Himself, has no idea what is happening, and we can avoid consequences and stay in sin. He says, “Understand, you stupid among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile” (vs8-11). This mind-state of the wicked is their unbelief - “they say, The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand” (vs7).

If they believed God was God, like you, they'd seek His grace, fall helplessly face down for mercy, and they'd await their reward in the end. He says, “Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity. Until the pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it” (vs12-15). But, unbelief, which brought us the curse, makes man stupid. He thinks God is blind, so he's blind himself to the Judgment that is surely coming.

I want wisdom. I don't want to destroy myself, calling lies the truth, and saying that Judgment Day isn't happening is worse than wishful thinking. What God would let the wicked go unpunished and yet still claim to be righteous? How could He let men murder His Son, persecute His church, and do all manner of evil against their fellow man, and yet not give consequences? That would be the ultimate injustice, for God to let sin and sinners win, while the righteous suffer. It can't happen!

It may feel as if the wicked are winning, because they sinfully prosper. Their churches pop like corn overflowing the bag, their wicked lusts are satisfied without disturbance to their conscience, and they often hurt the weak, exploiting them. Shall they get away with it? No. We read, “Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense,; and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; the Lord our God shall cut them off” (vs20-23). God doesn't punish men in this life, the second death is reserved for the next, but it is coming.

You and I are helpless sinners in need of mercy, calling upon Christ continually to be our strength, knowing that we're NOTHING without God. He says, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, My foot slips, Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up” (vs16-18). There is no way that we'll obey Him and overcome the beast within, unless He gives us unmerited favor, free mercy, and life-changing grace! But, this hope is solid, because this is God's way with us, and with anyone who wants to be saved. Rather than wishing away the Judgment, you and I pray to God in Christ, and He gives holiness, so that we can stand before the Judgment when He comes.

Don't be ashamed of the gospel, as if the reward is tiny, as if you'd be better off in sin! No way! He says, “ In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (vs19). This gospel has given you everything: eternal life, forgiveness, heaven to come. This gospel is how you're spared of hell eternal, and it is how you receive mercies undeserved but enjoyable. The gospel is your sure hope. Don't think that God cannot see, is unconcerned, or doesn't need to be feared.