Please intervene again, O Lord
by Pastor Steve Liersch
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God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgement among the ‘gods’ (Psalm 82:1).
Remember Idi Amin, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot? We’d rather not, for obvious reasons. For those too young to know who these evil world leaders were, there’s your Google homework for a few minutes. Remember Idi Amin, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot? History is full of leaders and others who, either by a democratic path, military coup or fixation on an evil plan, have inflicted unspeakable pain and suffering on their nation that rippled throughout the world. Instead of enacting God’s order for those in their care and becoming wardens of justice, they become empty of any true understanding of moral issues for the betterment of all.
Our psalm reminds us that God is the ultimate ruler and eventually renders judgement among the ‘gods’. The term ‘gods’ here refers to human, earthly rulers who have a position of power over a portion of God’s creation – Earth. In other words, despite what these leaders think, they have and ‘will all die like mere mortals’ (verse 7).
I love the psalms because they reveal so many aspects of our human character. They reveal our pain, inner thoughts, cries for help, praise of the Almighty God, and especially the reliance on the Most High to abolish evil, rescue the weak and needy, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. History often repeats itself, revealing leaders who think and act as if they are God but are only ‘god’ in their own minds and circle of influence. There’s only so much evil a person can wreak during their lifetime. That’s not to downplay that it isn’t devastating and painful while unfolding.
Examples of leaders unleashing evil are a fact of history. Right now, our world is observing some of these leaders roll out their evildoing as technology brings their devastation into our living rooms and awareness like never before. Our news is full of it. Our hearts ache for their victims. We give what we can to help alleviate their suffering. And meanwhile, we quietly wonder, ‘God, why don’t you put an end to this once and for all?’ He has before. He will again.
Ultimately, when Jesus Christ comes in all his glory, there will be an end to all evil in our fallen world. Until then, we are called to pray, remain faithful to Jesus, and find our strength and comfort in God despite what we see and experience.
Do some research on how long some evil leaders have ruled and thank God their tyranny came to an end.
Merciful God, please put an end to unbridled evil and tyranny in our world. Be with all victims so that their plight may be a cause for your love to be shared, and your salvation through Jesus can be theirs also. In your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife are almost empty nesters as their three adult children explore the world with work. They live in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth near Rockingham. Steve enjoys gardening, watching sports – especially Port Power and cricket – playing sudoku and catching up with friends.
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