Looking to the Lord

26 MAY

Therefore will I look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 73

The only way the faithful may be preserved from being led away by bad examples is to fix their eyes on God and to believe that He will be their deliverer.

Nothing is more difficult for us than to refrain from doing wrong when the ungodly provoke us, for they seem to offer us good reason for retaliation. Even when no one injures us, the custom of retaliation seems just. We think that what is sanctioned by the manners and customs of our time is lawful, so that when the wicked are successful, this becomes a very strong incentive for us to follow their example.

Thus it happens that the faithful can hardly, and with no small difficulty, keep themselves within proper bounds, for they see that wickedness reigns everywhere and with impunity. Even more, when they see those who encourage wickedness increase in esteem and wealth, immediately the corrupt lust of emulation creeps in.

But when the faithful themselves are provoked by injuries, there seems to be a particularly just reason for following the example of the wicked. They say that they willfully do harm to no one, but they are only resisting an injury done to them. Or they are merely retaliating from fraud with fraud, which only seems just.

To prevent this temptation, the prophet bids the faithful to look to God. It is the same thought that is often expressed in Psalm 119; the faithful must not allow themselves to be led away by bad examples, but must continue to walk in obedience to God’s Word, however great and violent the provocations they receive.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

If we find ourselves defrauded, our minds quickly justify fraudulent dealings in return. But that is not how we are called to live, nor does it bring glory to God. Instead, we should look to God for our salvation and for His justice to prevail in whatever way He sees fit. Vengeance is His.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Arise, Our God

31 January

Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in Thy sight.

Psalm 9:19

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Revelation 20: 11-15

One more reason to induce God to avenge the injuries done to His people is that man may not prevail, David says, for when God arises, the ungodly must fall down and give way. When the wicked become audaciously insolent or have great power to work mischief, is it not because God is still and gives them loose reins? But, when God does arise, He will put a stop to their proud tumults and break their strength and power with His nod alone.

In praying for God to arise, we learn that no matter how insolent and proud and boastful our enemies may be, they are still under the hand of God and can do no more than what He permits them to do. Furthermore, God can, whenever He pleases, render all their endeavors vain and ineffectual. The psalmist, therefore, in speaking of the wicked, calls them man. The word in the original is derived from a root signifying misery or wretchedness. So it is as if the psalmist calls these enemies mortal or frail man.

The psalmist also beseeches God to judge the heathen in His sight. God does this when He compels evildoers, by one means or another, to appear before His judgment seat. Unless such unbelievers are dragged by force into the presence of God, they will turn their backs upon God as much as they can to exclude from their minds all thoughts of Him as their Judge.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Are you ever tempted to despair, thinking that wicked people may bring you down, especially when you are walking in dependence on God? Remind yourself of this Psalm’s lesson that God is powerful enough to undo all wickedness with one word. How might He arise in your life, proving His almighty power against evildoers?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke