Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! (Psalm 43:1)
The Hebrew word translated as “vindicate” is שפט shafat, a term typically understood to denote “judgement.“ It doesn’t necessarily insinuate that a person needs to judged in the sense that a corrective measure must be employed but more in the sense of a situation needs to be considered and a decision made. In this case, the psalmist is appealing to the Supreme Judge to consider his case and see that he has done what is right in contrast to those who are unjust and deceitful. Moreover, because he has done nothing that merits punishment, he is pleading for God to deliver him from his adversaries. And so in this context, the term shafat is sometimes rendered as “avenge” — in other words, take up my cause and fight for me.
As we discussed in the previous devotion, there are times we find ourselves in a situation which is beyond our ability and power to resolve. In those times when we don’t know what else to do, we must call upon the Supreme Judge to vindicate us and deliver us from our adversaries. But what if He doesn’t answer right away (which is my experience most often) — what are we to make of that? According to the Messiah, we must keep praying and believe that justice to be done. Remember the parable of the persistent widow: she brought her case to a judge who had no fear of God nor respect of men, yet she pleaded her case before him continually. In the end, the judge realized she was not going away and, therefore, he determined to avenge her (Luke 18:1-8).
The point of the parable was to encourage us to continue praying and not lose heart. It might be that God doesn’t answer us right away but that doesn’t mean He isn’t hearing us. Let’s face it — we want immediate answers and especially when we are being wronged but, as Messiah said in the parable, it might be that God bears long with us. Nevertheless, we have a promise that when we pray with the faith that God will act, He will avenge those who cry out day and night to Him and render justice on their behalf. If we are committed to doing right in His eyes, He will deliver us from those who are deceitful and unjust.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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