One of the most common themes of complaint in the psalms is the issue of unavenged evil. How can God look upon all the evil that is done in the world and remain inactive? Why does he not bring justice? A common cry in these psalms is “How Long O Lord?” The breaking of the fifth seal in Revelation leads to an ominous pause in which the same complaint is echoed in heaven by the souls of the martyrs. In answer they are told to “wait a little longer”. God is holding back his hand from the earth in a similar way as he held back his hand of judgement from the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. Abraham was told that his people must wait until they enter the promised land “for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16). God will make things right; he will bring justice. But first, things may get a whole lot worse. That doesn’t seem like good news. But we were never meant to put our hope in the world system. In fact, John wrote elsewhere: “Do not love the world or anything in the world… The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). That last part is the basis of our hope. Your security must never be in the stability and constancy of the world system. This false hope will be dashed. Our hope is in the assurance of God’s promises and purpose. You only have “a little longer” to put up with this world system and then you have an eternity with Christ.
Pray the words of this psalm.
Read Revelation 6:9-11 and Psalm 3.
