Waiting for Justice: Souls Under the Altar
The world we live in is a place of both joy and sorrow. It is a place where the wicked often triumph over the innocent, and justice is not always served. Those who suffer at the hands of their oppressors often cry out for justice, but it seems that their voices go unheard. This is true for many of the souls under the altar, who are waiting for justice to be served. In this article, we will explore the agony of waiting and the hope of justice for the souls under the altar.
The Agony of Waiting: A Cry from the Souls Under the Altar
The souls under the altar are those who have been martyred for their faith. They cry out for justice, but it seems that their voices fall on deaf ears. They are waiting for the day when justice will be served, and their oppressors will be held accountable for their actions. They ask the question, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10).
Their agony of waiting is compounded by the fact that they are unable to do anything to hasten the coming of justice. They are powerless and helpless, and all they can do is cry out for justice. Their agony is felt by all those who have suffered injustices, whether it be through persecution, oppression, or abuse. The souls under the altar remind us that justice delayed is justice denied, and that we must never give up hope in the face of injustice.
The Hope of Justice: A Reflection on the Triumph of the Righteous
Despite the agony of waiting, there is hope for the souls under the altar. They are reminded that justice will be served, and that their oppressors will be held accountable for their actions. They are also reminded of the triumph of the righteous, and that their suffering is not in vain. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
The hope of justice is also a reminder that we must never give up in the face of injustice. We must continue to cry out for justice, to stand up for what is right, and to work towards a world where justice is served. We must also remember that justice is not just about punishing the wicked, but also about restoring the brokenness that comes from injustice. This means that we must work towards reconciliation and healing, even as we seek justice.
The agony of waiting for justice is felt by many in our world today, but we must never give up hope. The souls under the altar remind us that justice will be served, and that the righteous will triumph. They also remind us that we must continue to cry out for justice, stand up for what is right, and work towards a world where justice is served. May we never lose hope in the face of injustice, and may we always work towards a world where justice and peace prevail.
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.[a][b]
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked person, God says:
“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly[c] like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless[d] I will show my salvation.”
