Who Will Rise Up For Me Against the Evildoers?

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?

Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

If I say, "My foot slips,"

Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:16-19

These are some of my favorite verses in Scripture.  They are both instructive and comforting. Today, I am focusing on the first two verses.  Lord willing, I will write on the remaining two tomorrow.  

David asks in verse 16:

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?

Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

This is a question I ask myself often of late after spending any time at all reading the news.  Evildoers and workers of iniquity abound, truth has fallen in the streets and justice is rare.  Although the psalmist believes that goodness will eventually prevail (vs 14-15), he feels very much alone.  I understand this feeling today more than I would have understood it five years ago.  To David it seemed that the faithful people had failed and that there was no one to oppose the evil and champion the cause of the righteous. He goes on in verse 17 to say this:

Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

Amen!  God is the Helper of all who look to Him. He is their refuge and their strength…A very present help in times of trouble.  I am thankful that He never leaves us nor forsakes us, and that He is the SAME yesterday, today and forever. The Lord my God is the ROCK on which I stand. 

Here is what I hold on to in these verses. What is happening in our world today has its purpose for us as believers.  It brings our hearts to Him and to Him alone because there is no where else for us to turn. This is such a good thing. God becomes increasingly precious and our heart learns to rest in Him…in His sovereignty, His providence, His grace, His mercy and His perfect love. 

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.—Psalm 36:7

Beloved…you are not alone.  His left hand is under your head and His right hand embraces you. In Christ your consolations abound.  Trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him…the eternal God is your refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms.

Vindicate me, O God,

And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!

For You are the God of my strength;

Why do You cast me off?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!

Let them lead me;

Let them bring me to Your holy hill

And to Your tabernacle.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

To God my exceeding joy;

And on the harp I will praise You,

O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.—Psalm 43

I cry out to the LORD with my voice;

With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

In the way in which I walk

They have secretly set a snare for me.

Look on my right hand and see,

For there is no one who acknowledges me;

Refuge has failed me;

No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O LORD:

I said, "You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

Attend to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison,

That I may praise Your name;

The righteous shall surround me,

For You shall deal bountifully with me."—Psalm 142

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous….

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is established;

He will not be afraid,

Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.—Psalm 112:4;7-8