This is a continuation of a series started here.
Righteous Indignation
Verses 19-22 give an opposite, yet complimentary reaction to what we looked at yesterday. I call this part, “Righteous Indignation”. Along with this feeling of worship where on the one hand we see God as the One who knows us intimately and designs us for a purpose are verses 19-22 which show frustration and even anger. Frustration and anger against all of those people who despise and reject their God-given potential, and even insult the one who created them with such care and precision.
“If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.”
This is anger against those who don’t acknowledge who they are because of God, or even actively work against the God who David finds such comfort and encouragement in. He sees no purpose in God keeping those kinds of wicked people around. He chooses to distance himself from them, and even asks God to kill them off! They are not living up to their God given purpose or potential, instead they are bloodthirsty and evil! They even use their gifts, given by God in love, selfishly for themselves, and work against His purposes! They even go to the point of profaning their Creator’s name!
Read verse 19 again. David is jealous with impatience… he’s angry at God’s patience toward the wicked. But, notice that before his next breath, David leaves it to God’s grace. He is frustrated with the prideful, selfish, wilful, evil people in the world, but He leaves the ultimate decision of what should happen with them to God. And God’s decision, and thank God it is… is to be patient, to keep knocking on the doors of their hearts, and to continuously pursue them with His amazing grace. Thank God that He doesn’t give us what we deserve!
An interesting note here is that not only is this a declaration of frustration, but it is also a traditional Near Eastern pledge that Kings would require of their new servants and vassals as they came under their authority. If I was to become the servant of an ancient King, I would come before them and would say, “With my friend you shall be friend, and with my enemy you shall be enemy.”
Question five: Does sin and arrogance make you angry? Have you turned that anger over to God?
