Praying For The “So Thats”

“God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, God, do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people, and conspire together against Your treasured ones. They have said, “Come, and let’s wipe them out as a nation, so that the name of Israel will no longer be remembered.” … Fill their faces with dishonor, so that they will seek Your name, Lord. May they be ashamed and dismayed forever, and may they be humiliated and perish, so that they will know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:1-4, 16-18 NASB2020)

Even God’s punishment on the enemies of His people has a redemptive purpose: “So that they will seek Your name … So that they will know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” 

This is why we are to leave judgment in His capable hands. We humans are prone to desire the complete and immediate elimination of all our enemies, but our loving God knows how to dispense punishment in perfect proportion so that evildoers may recognize their sin and repent. 

Yes, we should pray as this psalmist’s Holy Spirit-inspired words direct us. Pray for protection for God’s people, pray for punishment for God’s enemies, but also pray that all of this brings about the “so thats” that will lead these enemies of God to accept His forgiveness that Jesus paid for on the Cross.

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