The Common End-Times Prayer

Scripture:
Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph;
    let the nations be judged in your presence.
Strike them with terror, Lord;
    let the nations know they are only mortal.
Psalm 9:19-20

Observation: As the psalmist prays to the Lord, he asks for justice. He seeks God's action against the wicked, individuals but especially nations or people-groups. He was them judged for their actions, and for them to learn the wrong they commit. In this way, they would be filled with terror, part of which is the knowledge of mortality.

However, this is interpreted, the bottom line is this ... the psalmist wishes for God's decision action against the wicked, once and for all.

Application: How often have I just prayed 'come Lord Jesus'? At some point, every believer wants this ... the end. We want to witness justice on the evil, and end suffering of the good and upright. We know God has full authority to address the issues of the wicked, and we just wish it would happen. Now. Again, I'm pretty confident we all pray that at some point in time, and for some they probably pray it often.

Perhaps, though, we should be careful. Asking for God to judge others sets us up as judge, assuming we are upright. We aren't, but we are forgiven. Wishing for the judgment of others is a slippery slope.

Prayer: Lord, today I ask not for your return, but instead for the redemption of those who do wrong. This is a better way, to reach them in the name of Jesus. I ask for continued hope in that mission. Amen.