I wrote a prayer and shared it on my Facebook blog page—I’ll share it at the end here—and it was focused on my response to this verse recorded in Psalm 119:53…

“Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.” (ESV)

Or…

“Fury seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction.” (CSB)

Today, in my quiet time, several other verses popped out in my reading that, to me, paralleled this verse in Psalm 119:

“Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within. When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. (Proverbs 26:23-26)

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)

And…

“How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen, or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

The book of Habakkuk is a timely read for the things we hear in the news and see going on in the world nowadays—the prophet wrote these words centuries ago and they so aptly express some of my concerns and frustrations about what is currently going on in this nation and around the world.

The fact is, anyone not surrendered to Christ, without the Holy Spirit living within them, is a subject of the kingdom of darkness and often without knowing it, a pawn in the enemy’s hands.

God’s response to Habakkuk is our best counsel:

“The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. Look, his [Babylon] ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4)

These words are echoed in the New Testament…

“For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

“Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

“For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:37-39)

I’ve heard some modern-day prophesies about revivals and turn arounds in this country. I don’t know. I read in scripture about lawlessness and deception, corruption and immorality increasing; I read about distress and persecution, and hard times coming. So, I don’t know how things are going to play out in days to come. This is what I can say:
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

I recognize a contrast in these two themes: Wicked people act wickedly under the influence of the enemy, and the righteous live by faith, faith in Jesus, His faithfulness, and in His Word. Psalm 119:54-56 goes on to say, “Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthy life. Lord, I remember your Name in the night, and I obey your instruction. This is my practice: I obey your precepts.” (CSB)

I also pray in alignment with 2 Thessalonians 2:7, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the One now restraining will do so until He is out of the way”—Holy Spirit, restrain! Restrain the powers of lawlessness and evil that are at work in this nation and the world until you take your church home. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, amen.

“Fury seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction.” (Psalm 119:53 CSB)

Father, I confess that I get angry at the wicked. Other translations of this text use the words, “hot indignation” and “rage”—I don’t know that those words, or even furious, express my feelings as much admitting that I am frustrated by the acts of unregenerate people. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder what was going through the Psalmist’s thoughts and in his life when he wrote those words.

The fact is, that wicked people acting wickedly often affect other people, communities, and even nations. And Lord, a lot of wickedness is happening in our nation and around the world right now; a lot of evil is being perpetrated.

So, Lord, I ask that you deal with the hearts and minds of those who execute wickedness and devise evil schemes. Contend with them in your righteousness and justice; and wherever, whenever, or with whoever there is the hope of redemption, bring them to their knees in repentance.

Holy Spirit, you are in the world to convict concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment—let the hearts of many who would otherwise be considered wicked respond to your conviction and humble themselves in repentance. Help me, O God, to be responsive to your conviction, too, because I know that frustration and rage are not evidence of your presence in my life. Forgive me, Lord, and cleanse all unrighteousness from me.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.