An insomniac's Psalm 103: Verse 6

"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed."

I used to read such present-tense statements and automatically assign them an exclusively future meaning. And to be sure, full relief and vindication for God's people will come only when Jesus returns (2 Thessalonians 1:7). But here in this veil of tears we who love Him experience a peace unknown to those outside of Christ---if, indeed, we embrace it in a moment by moment act of faith. The world doesn't see this and considers us unfortunates. But "blessed are the poor" (Matthew 5:3) even now.

The ironic situation is summed up in the little diorama of the 23rd Psalm. The enemy encircles, but a zone of blessing and favor is carved out of the midst of it. This zone follows us everywhere, so that we lie down in green pastures and by still waters amidst the ruckus. (Jesus snoozed in a boat on a stormy sea.) Our Father flaunts his lavish grace toward us and taunts the Enemy by setting a banquet table of sumptuous delights in full view of the Evil one's camp.

For justice seemingly deferred, there is the "at the proper time" factor (1 Peter 5:6): "Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." He specializes in great reversals, as Mary observed in the Spirit of prophecy we call the Magnificat. My cousin Louise used to sum up our choice in life this way: "You pay now, or you pay later." That was a little crass, but not far from the Beatitudes: Blessed are those who weep now, for they will laugh later.

I find I never envy godless people or pity godly people because I've lived long enough to see the other shoe drop and God's mysterious way that tends to turn even the worst dealt hand to glory. Even infidels have noticed this now and then. King Abimelech hurried to make a covenant with Abraham because he saw he lived a charmed life in some way: "God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me . . ." (Genesis 21:22, 23; 26:26-28).

The late J. Edwin Orr, an expert on the history of revivals, wrote in his book The Re-Study of Revival and Revivalism: ". . . the first community stirred [by the revival of 1857] in the States was that of Southern black slaves. . . ." The inspiring gospel singing that today wafts out of free churches in America was born in the "call and response" harmonies in Southern cotton fields of yore.

To read "Verse 7," click here.

To hear commentaries by Andrée Seu, click here.