As injustice and darkness abound, we all wonder how long it will last:
I have been writing a lot on the topic of justice of late, and that for the simple reason that we are witnessing so much appalling injustice all around us. Whether it is what we see unfolding in the US with the elections, or the tech giants and their war on free speech, or the mini-dictatorships springing up everywhere over Covid, or the lousy anti-Christian laws being passed, there is so much injustice and evil all over the place.
So all biblical Christians will grieve over this, will be concerned about the darkness overwhelming us, and will call out to God for justice, for vindication, for deliverance. I have penned a lot of pieces on this of late. See these two for example: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/10/08/persistence-in-praying-for-gods-justice/
Both those pieces deal with the delays we often find as we wait for God to work – or at least what seems to be a delay. God is of course right on time, but often we wonder just how long evil will last. The question is: How Long, O Lord? That is a fully biblical question, one found specifically in Psalms 13:1 and 89:46 for example. There are numerous verses like this, eg:
Job 30:20 “I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer;
I stand up, but you merely look at me.
Psalm 10:1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Psalm 13:1-3 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
Psalm 89:46 How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?
Psalm 102:2 Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.
Psalm 143:7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Habakkuk 1:2-4 How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
It is the long wait between injustice and a seeming just response and resolution to it that can be so hard to bear. Of course in the light of eternity, no time span here on earth is all that long. Nonetheless, when you are the one in the midst of real suffering, hardship, persecution and injustice, it can seem like an eternity.
You wonder how long it will go on for, and you wonder how long you can last. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, and faith seems to slip away. Yet we know that God DOES act – at least in his own time and way. And often when it seems like he is not acting or hearing our pleas, he actually is.
Let me look at one clear-cut instance of gross injustice as found in Scripture which I just read again today. In Genesis 39 we read about how Joseph was put in charge of the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. But there we also read of how Potiphar’s wife sought to seduce him, how Joseph steadfastly refused, and how she then falsely accused him, resulting in him being thrown into prison.
The story does not end there. In Genesis 40 we read about how Joseph interpreted two prisoners’ dreams. In Gen. 40:1 it says this: “Some time after this…” And then in chapter 41 we read about how he was eventually released from prison. Gen. 41:1 says this: “After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed…”
So Joseph was in the slammer unjustly for at least two years and maybe much longer. And we learn from other biblical episodes as well as from history, that times of hardship and suffering and injustice can often last very long indeed. I often ponder all this.
There are numerous cases of this where we find terrible things happening. People prayed and cried out for justice, and it seemed so long before relief finally came. Here are just five examples, ranging from the briefest to the longest periods:
12 years – Germany from 1933 to 1945, under Hitler and Nazi rule.
40 years – The ancient Israelites wandering in the wilderness before making it to the promised land.
70 years – The Babylonian captivity of ancient Israel from around 600 to 530 B. C.
72 years – The Communist takeover of Russia from 1917 to 1989.
400 years – The oppression and affliction of the Israelites in Egypt (Genesis 15:13: “Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years’.”)
In these and other situations the people of God would often have wondered how long things like this would go on for. They would have pleaded with God for justice, for retaliation, for vindication. Sometimes it came swiftly, and sometimes it came after a very long period of time.
So for those of us who are suffering, seeing the darkness sweeping over the West, we too can wonder just how long all this will last. All we know for sure is that God is on the throne, and none of these times of persecution, hardship and injustice will last forever.
So we need faith and patience to endure these hard times.
Afterword
As I write this, a website I have been on for some months has just vanished. Like millions of other people who were sick and tired of the fascist left tech giants censoring us at every turn, I joined Parler. I was on it the moment it ceased to exist, thanks to these modern-day tyrants.
This is such a despicable injustice: If they can censor and silence the sitting President of the United States, and if they can shut down an entire social media group, they will have no problems shutting down you or me at any time for any reason. I now count the days until we will no longer be able to see each other online. If we do not wake up now, it WILL be too late.
Yes, it really is that serious. As Jordan Peterson rightly said a few years ago: “The right to freedom of speech is central because it’s the right by which you defend all the other rights.” We are now witnessing our very freedoms being taken away from us, certainly free speech.
When I was a young hippy and neo-Marxist we thought that freedom was being destroyed and Big Government was the problem. Today the ones who are destroying freedom and pushing for more Big Brother government are leftists and Marxists. Now they are found not in Moscow or Havana but in Congress and Silicon Valley and Hollywood and Madison Avenue.
30 Replies to “Justice Always Comes – But It Can Take a While”
Thanks for the reminder perspective. Good piece, Bill.
Parler wiped out in an instant:
“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I feel something terrible has happened.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKu7TYWNxqA
I love the way Star Wars has so many spiritual truths incorporated in it. It’s almost the late 20th century Lord Of The Rings.
I can’t help agreeing with a Bible teacher that I follow that perhaps the giants that were in the land at the time of Noah and the Flood are here now, but in the form of Big Tech Giants.
Psalm 37 is just so fitting for this time.
Would love to find out what the persecuted churches do now in other lands to: communicate, stay in touch, help each other, attend to the means of grace, etc. I have only found little snippets here and there, but nothing helpful. We have some time (couple of weeks perhaps) to start building some resiliency – ordinary means. But frankly where do we start? How do persecuted Indian churches and pastors stay in touch? Chinese? North Korean? They didn’t have parler, probably don’t tweet, no access to ham radios. How do they do it? The Western Churches are silent, waiting for the first chance to sign the document pledging their allegiance to the new boss, ready to calm their parishioners with peace peace. So the pew folk need to start minding their own, since the watchmen have all deserted to the enemy, “penced” themselves, or run off into the darkness.
Thanks Randall. I did pen a piece recently on how the early church responded to persecution:
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable”.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
The US Democrats have banned the terms Man & Woman and Ladies & Gentlemen.
The wife of the US President is known formally as the, ‘First Lady of the United States’.
Similarly the wife of the US Vice President is known as the, ‘Second Lady of the United States’.
I presume the husband of Kamala Harris will be known, not as the, ‘Second Gentleman of the United States’, but rather the, ‘Second Person of the United States’ or possibly the, ‘Second Cismale of the United States’. ? ? ?
I have just gone into Curtis Bowers’ eye witness account from January 6th in Washington, to upload here for Bill’s readers to be aware of – only to find that Youtube has deleted Curtis Bowers’ report and commentary and video footage.
So I will encourage you here with just one of the many prophetic voices. Watch before it is taken down!
Reflecting as I work (self-employed) – in shock, just as Bill was when Parler was shut down in his face . . . Curtis Bowers showed footage of a very peaceful assembly and time of wonderful fellowship of mainly Christians, from across America – a gathering of people who value and honour truth and freedom, as they walked peacefully together. (Remember Nero also blamed the Christians)
Curtis Bowers said he had visited the Capitol Building some twenty times during his life, and security had always been extremely tight.
But not last Wednesday, 6th January.
He said that on his previous visits to the Capitol Building, the always strong police presence did not permit any visitor even to step onto the grass in front of the Capitol Building.
However last Wednesday, 6/1, the roads either side of the grassy lawn were blocked off, and people were as if ushered by the small police presence, to walk only on the grass. (Most police who had been rostered on for duty last Wednesday, 6/1, had been cancelled and told not to present for work that day.)
The violent Antifa protesters were easily recognizable, despite being dressed as Trump supporters. A small amount of tear gas was used.
Police then ushered those who had walked up the stairs to the porch of the Capitol Building, through the doors that were standing wide open. Other footage has shown police ushering people upstairs.
Curtis Bowers spoke of Pence as being a despicable traitor and coward, having had several peaceful and completely non-threatening paths he could have taken to establish truth and avert tyranny . . . including, as the President had expressed his hope when he spoke earlier, of sending the electoral college votes of the disputed states back to the legislatures of those states, with the request that those states confirm their electoral college votes, and then send them back to a joint session of the U.S. Congress to be counted.
Last Wednesday, 6/1, only 6 U.S. Senators, together with a small number of faithful Congressmen, stood for truth.
Later that evening Pelosi cosied up to Pence, as shown in official footage – Pence the darling of the Left & RINOs = the Establishment. It has been expressed sadly that Pence is reminiscent of Pilate washing his hands, and that he will be likened in history to Benedict Arnold.
However, our mighty God is on His Throne . .
PLEASE may we all, as one, be on our faces before Him in prayer!
Note: Curtis Bowers made his video after his return home from Washington, and posted it on Sunday morning our time.
He showed footage of Trump supporters trying to apprehend and stop the violence and window breaking etc of Antifa members, who had disguised themselves as Trump supporters.
Please forgive me for several posts.
However important to note also that there was footage of Pelosi’s son-in-law with Antifa members at the Capitol Building on January 6th.
You will not see any of these truths in the main stream media – whose purpose is brainwashing of the population into silent compliance.
Bill, please let us all know where we may find you on the net if you also were to be targetted. For we must all stand together with courage.
When it comes to responding to the left takeover of the US, by responding kind for kind it brings us to the very level of behaviour we’re fighting against. We deal not with temporal forces, but of the principalities of our spirit enemy . The power of what is good truthful and righteous needs to be harnessed by all believers by kneeling in confession of our faith and our iniquity before the All-powerful Lord seeking forgiveness and a renewal of purpose. Let’s not think that we are overwhelmed by an all-powerful enemy in big tech and deep state, instead, be amazed what a little faith in the All-Powerful Lord can do to defeat the enemy – the principality of darkness. Take faith in how Gideon, a man of little faith and with 300 men was able to defeat an army of 30,000+ Midianites by convincing them to self-destruct.
With a little faith and trust in the Almighty, we can , like Gideon, defeat the enemy of the corrupt left, not by copying their methods of destruction and chaos, but through stealth and cunning. He will send you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Is it possible to show the rest of the Curtis Bowers video?
The footage sent by Paul Wilson looks very peaceful.
John 6:66-68 is one of my life passages that I reflect on in dark days, when I need encouragement.
Dear Bill,
Reading a Bible commentary on Ezekiel 17 (Expositor’s Bible Commentary) and was struck by the similarities in attitudes between the ‘exiles’ referenced and the American public here…(perhaps Australians too?), regarding current events and their nation continuance in freedom. If I am reading too much into it, just let me know. Respectfully, Ron adams
Here is an excerpt:
In spite of the interest excited by Ezekiel’s prophetic appearances, the exiles still received his prediction of the fall of Jerusalem with the most stolid incredulity. It proved to be an impossible task to disabuse their minds of the pre-possessions which made such an event absolutely incredible. True to their character as a disobedient house, they had “eyes to see, and saw not; and ears to hear, but heard not”. {Ezekiel 12:2} They were intensely interested in the strange signs he performed, and listened with pleasure to his fervid oratory; but the inner meaning of it all never sank into their minds. Ezekiel was well aware that the cause of this obtuseness lay in the false ideals which nourished an overweening confidence in the destiny of their nation. And these ideals were the more difficult to destroy because they each contained an element of truth, so interwoven with the falsehood that to the mind of the people the true and the false stood and fell together. If the great vision of chapters 8-11 had accomplished its purpose, it would doubtless have taken away the main support of these delusive imaginations. But the belief in the indestructibility of the Temple was only one of a number of roots through which the vain confidence of the nation was fed; and so long as any of these remained the people’s sense of security was likely to remain. These spurious ideals, therefore, Ezekiel sets himself with characteristic thoroughness to demolish, one after another.
Thanks Ron.
Hi Ron reminds me very much of those who blather on about God wouldn’t destroy a Christian nation. Often pointing to the “negotiation” between Moses and God over Sodom and getting down to 10 righteous to not destroy. They believe since there are 10 righteous in America he can’t destroy us. I think the idea of America as Christian nation has become an idol for some and it is clouding their vision. So many things can become idols not just images that are worshipped. Way too many idols these days.
What I find astounding is the measured terms political leaders are using when condemning the tech. giant’s censorship of D.T. What these tech. giants are doing is striking at the very heart of democracy. If anything a political leader with that level of support should be given more leniency than others yet what we are seeing is the extreme opposite of that. Does this generation simply not understand the value of democracy?
I would have thought Lincoln’s Gettysburg address was relevant here-
Has government of the people, by the people, for the people, perished from the earth to be replaced by multi-national tech companies? If I were an American Democrat voter, I’d be feeling distinctly queasy now.
Quite right Nina.
unfortunately Michael this generation and the last and mine (gen X) have been brainwashed with ever increasing propaganda. they believe riots and occupation of city streets till you get what you want is democracy. “this is what democracy looks like” they scream. and that is what they have been taught it looks like. they are the perfect useful idiots to bring about the one world government of the antichrist. so many of this gen and the last know nothing outside their own feelings. WE have failed the west and America. hopefully a swift judgment will come and we can get a change in America to set things right.
“When I was a young hippy and neo-Marxist we thought that freedom was being destroyed and Big Government was the problem. Today the ones who are destroying freedom and pushing for more Big Brother government are leftists and Marxists. ”
Thanks for the reminder perspective. Good piece, Bill.
Parler wiped out in an instant:
“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I feel something terrible has happened.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKu7TYWNxqA
I love the way Star Wars has so many spiritual truths incorporated in it. It’s almost the late 20th century Lord Of The Rings.
The rate of change is frighteningly fast. https://thebfd.co.nz/2021/01/11/the-end-of-western-democracy/
I can’t help agreeing with a Bible teacher that I follow that perhaps the giants that were in the land at the time of Noah and the Flood are here now, but in the form of Big Tech Giants.
Psalm 37 is just so fitting for this time.
Would love to find out what the persecuted churches do now in other lands to: communicate, stay in touch, help each other, attend to the means of grace, etc. I have only found little snippets here and there, but nothing helpful. We have some time (couple of weeks perhaps) to start building some resiliency – ordinary means. But frankly where do we start? How do persecuted Indian churches and pastors stay in touch? Chinese? North Korean? They didn’t have parler, probably don’t tweet, no access to ham radios. How do they do it? The Western Churches are silent, waiting for the first chance to sign the document pledging their allegiance to the new boss, ready to calm their parishioners with peace peace. So the pew folk need to start minding their own, since the watchmen have all deserted to the enemy, “penced” themselves, or run off into the darkness.
Thanks Randall. I did pen a piece recently on how the early church responded to persecution:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2021/01/09/early-christianity-persecution-and-lessons-for-today/
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable”.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
The US Democrats have banned the terms Man & Woman and Ladies & Gentlemen.
The wife of the US President is known formally as the, ‘First Lady of the United States’.
Similarly the wife of the US Vice President is known as the, ‘Second Lady of the United States’.
I presume the husband of Kamala Harris will be known, not as the, ‘Second Gentleman of the United States’, but rather the, ‘Second Person of the United States’ or possibly the, ‘Second Cismale of the United States’. ? ? ?
Joe Biden’s pledge to repeal Trump’s Muslim travel ban on “day one” is not enough
https://barenakedislam.com/2021/01/10/told-ya-so-joe-bidens-pledge-to-repeal-trumps-muslim-travel-ban-on-day-one-is-not-enough/
“We are surrounded by signs and portents and I feel a darkness pressing at our backs.” I don’t have a vid link for this sorry.
Please all join in prayer with our brothers and sisters in the U.S.
How thrilling to be petitioning our Father at the same time, as one, across His world.
Noon Central time is 5 a.m. Daylight Saving time in Eastern Australia – check for your time zone.
Our God is on His Throne!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTE5zQX3X8Q
I have just gone into Curtis Bowers’ eye witness account from January 6th in Washington, to upload here for Bill’s readers to be aware of – only to find that Youtube has deleted Curtis Bowers’ report and commentary and video footage.
So I will encourage you here with just one of the many prophetic voices. Watch before it is taken down!
AND PLEASE ALL PRAY AS NEVER BEFORE . . . !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHxASRawu5w
Reflecting as I work (self-employed) – in shock, just as Bill was when Parler was shut down in his face . . . Curtis Bowers showed footage of a very peaceful assembly and time of wonderful fellowship of mainly Christians, from across America – a gathering of people who value and honour truth and freedom, as they walked peacefully together. (Remember Nero also blamed the Christians)
Curtis Bowers said he had visited the Capitol Building some twenty times during his life, and security had always been extremely tight.
But not last Wednesday, 6th January.
He said that on his previous visits to the Capitol Building, the always strong police presence did not permit any visitor even to step onto the grass in front of the Capitol Building.
However last Wednesday, 6/1, the roads either side of the grassy lawn were blocked off, and people were as if ushered by the small police presence, to walk only on the grass. (Most police who had been rostered on for duty last Wednesday, 6/1, had been cancelled and told not to present for work that day.)
The violent Antifa protesters were easily recognizable, despite being dressed as Trump supporters. A small amount of tear gas was used.
Police then ushered those who had walked up the stairs to the porch of the Capitol Building, through the doors that were standing wide open. Other footage has shown police ushering people upstairs.
Curtis Bowers spoke of Pence as being a despicable traitor and coward, having had several peaceful and completely non-threatening paths he could have taken to establish truth and avert tyranny . . . including, as the President had expressed his hope when he spoke earlier, of sending the electoral college votes of the disputed states back to the legislatures of those states, with the request that those states confirm their electoral college votes, and then send them back to a joint session of the U.S. Congress to be counted.
Last Wednesday, 6/1, only 6 U.S. Senators, together with a small number of faithful Congressmen, stood for truth.
Later that evening Pelosi cosied up to Pence, as shown in official footage – Pence the darling of the Left & RINOs = the Establishment. It has been expressed sadly that Pence is reminiscent of Pilate washing his hands, and that he will be likened in history to Benedict Arnold.
However, our mighty God is on His Throne . .
PLEASE may we all, as one, be on our faces before Him in prayer!
Note: Curtis Bowers made his video after his return home from Washington, and posted it on Sunday morning our time.
He showed footage of Trump supporters trying to apprehend and stop the violence and window breaking etc of Antifa members, who had disguised themselves as Trump supporters.
Please forgive me for several posts.
However important to note also that there was footage of Pelosi’s son-in-law with Antifa members at the Capitol Building on January 6th.
You will not see any of these truths in the main stream media – whose purpose is brainwashing of the population into silent compliance.
Bill, please let us all know where we may find you on the net if you also were to be targetted. For we must all stand together with courage.
When it comes to responding to the left takeover of the US, by responding kind for kind it brings us to the very level of behaviour we’re fighting against. We deal not with temporal forces, but of the principalities of our spirit enemy . The power of what is good truthful and righteous needs to be harnessed by all believers by kneeling in confession of our faith and our iniquity before the All-powerful Lord seeking forgiveness and a renewal of purpose. Let’s not think that we are overwhelmed by an all-powerful enemy in big tech and deep state, instead, be amazed what a little faith in the All-Powerful Lord can do to defeat the enemy – the principality of darkness. Take faith in how Gideon, a man of little faith and with 300 men was able to defeat an army of 30,000+ Midianites by convincing them to self-destruct.
With a little faith and trust in the Almighty, we can , like Gideon, defeat the enemy of the corrupt left, not by copying their methods of destruction and chaos, but through stealth and cunning. He will send you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
suzzana here is part of that vid curtis bowers from Bitchute. https://www.bitchute.com/video/HdIEqFxtTAtq/
Is it possible to show the rest of the Curtis Bowers video?
The footage sent by Paul Wilson looks very peaceful.
John 6:66-68 is one of my life passages that I reflect on in dark days, when I need encouragement.
Dear Bill,
Reading a Bible commentary on Ezekiel 17 (Expositor’s Bible Commentary) and was struck by the similarities in attitudes between the ‘exiles’ referenced and the American public here…(perhaps Australians too?), regarding current events and their nation continuance in freedom. If I am reading too much into it, just let me know. Respectfully, Ron adams
Here is an excerpt:
In spite of the interest excited by Ezekiel’s prophetic appearances, the exiles still received his prediction of the fall of Jerusalem with the most stolid incredulity. It proved to be an impossible task to disabuse their minds of the pre-possessions which made such an event absolutely incredible. True to their character as a disobedient house, they had “eyes to see, and saw not; and ears to hear, but heard not”. {Ezekiel 12:2} They were intensely interested in the strange signs he performed, and listened with pleasure to his fervid oratory; but the inner meaning of it all never sank into their minds. Ezekiel was well aware that the cause of this obtuseness lay in the false ideals which nourished an overweening confidence in the destiny of their nation. And these ideals were the more difficult to destroy because they each contained an element of truth, so interwoven with the falsehood that to the mind of the people the true and the false stood and fell together. If the great vision of chapters 8-11 had accomplished its purpose, it would doubtless have taken away the main support of these delusive imaginations. But the belief in the indestructibility of the Temple was only one of a number of roots through which the vain confidence of the nation was fed; and so long as any of these remained the people’s sense of security was likely to remain. These spurious ideals, therefore, Ezekiel sets himself with characteristic thoroughness to demolish, one after another.
Thanks Ron.
Hi Ron reminds me very much of those who blather on about God wouldn’t destroy a Christian nation. Often pointing to the “negotiation” between Moses and God over Sodom and getting down to 10 righteous to not destroy. They believe since there are 10 righteous in America he can’t destroy us. I think the idea of America as Christian nation has become an idol for some and it is clouding their vision. So many things can become idols not just images that are worshipped. Way too many idols these days.
What I find astounding is the measured terms political leaders are using when condemning the tech. giant’s censorship of D.T. What these tech. giants are doing is striking at the very heart of democracy. If anything a political leader with that level of support should be given more leniency than others yet what we are seeing is the extreme opposite of that. Does this generation simply not understand the value of democracy?
I would have thought Lincoln’s Gettysburg address was relevant here-
Has government of the people, by the people, for the people, perished from the earth to be replaced by multi-national tech companies? If I were an American Democrat voter, I’d be feeling distinctly queasy now.
Quite right Nina.
unfortunately Michael this generation and the last and mine (gen X) have been brainwashed with ever increasing propaganda. they believe riots and occupation of city streets till you get what you want is democracy. “this is what democracy looks like” they scream. and that is what they have been taught it looks like. they are the perfect useful idiots to bring about the one world government of the antichrist. so many of this gen and the last know nothing outside their own feelings. WE have failed the west and America. hopefully a swift judgment will come and we can get a change in America to set things right.
this is the best I can find for chris bowers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iB2zhHtNIE
“When I was a young hippy and neo-Marxist we thought that freedom was being destroyed and Big Government was the problem. Today the ones who are destroying freedom and pushing for more Big Brother government are leftists and Marxists. ”
Yep. The left has become the right.