Have you ever prayed and felt like God was taking His time, or perhaps dragging His feet? Especially when the weight of opposition to your faith feels heavy? The psalmist, knew that feeling well. Psalm 70 begins and ends with the same urgent plea for God’s immediate help (verses 1, 5).

The psalmist’s prayer is marked by three urgent requests. First, for God to act immediately in the face of an enemy’s attack. Second, to humiliate his enemies, those who oppose God. Third, for God’s name to be honoured. Notice that the psalmist’s desire is not simply for his enemies to be crushed and defeated, but for them to be brought low in such a way that they might recognise God’s power, and to fear God. His longing is that the righteous will rejoice, and that those who rebel against God will tremble before God.

Verse 4 reminds us that the ultimate purpose behind the defeat of God’s enemies is the honour of God’s name. Our aim in battle is not personal vindication, but the display of God’s greatness and glory.

Reading this psalm, we may think that we have never prayed for God to “hurry up”. But the truth is that whenever we pray for His will to be done, or whenever we live in obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations, that we are actually longing for His Kingdom to advance and His glory to be seen. At the same time, as the gospel is being proclaimed, opposition will inevitably arise. Therefore, the defeat or humiliation of God’s enemies is not about our personal victory or triumph, but about the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. When we win someone to Christ, it is not about that person, or ourselves, but that another knee is bowing to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is a spiritual battle. We fight not with weapons of this world, but with prayer and obedience. And we fight not for our own gain, but so that God’s name is honoured and His glory displayed among all people. When we find it difficult to move forward on this journey, we can always cry out as the psalmist did. Not for our rescue, but for God to act quickly, so that His glory may be known.

In our Lord Jesus Christ, God has already shown that He does not delay. He came to save us, Holy Spirit indwells in us, and He will come again to set all things right. Until that day, may we pray with urgency for His will to be done, and live in full obedience.

Prayer:

Dear God, may Your greatness and glory be displayed quickly on earth. But till the day that You come again, help me to live my life in obedience to Your commandment and commission, and to share Your gospel with urgency. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.