David, in Ps. 94, calls on the Lord, the God of vengeance, asking him to show Himself. As judge of all the Earth, give the proud their due. David is grieved because the wicked, instead of being fearful or experiencing God's judgment, seem to be rejoicing, succeeding, enjoying themselves.

Who are these wicked? Their description is laid out for us:

• They speak hard words
• They attack and break down God's people.
• They keep the needy from the way of life.

And they expect no consequences to come to them.

David, however, knows the Lord as the Judge of all the Earth, and therefore asks Him to exact vengeance on them for their actions. He decries their foolishness in thinking that the One who judges the nations will not consider what they are doing. He seems to be saying, "It's time for vengeance, Lord!"

So what is the vengeance He will exact upon them? Verses 12 and 13 tell us:

"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give Him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked."

God's first work in administering vengeance is to correct, to instruct, to draw toward repentance. What a glorious vengeance this is! Those who have been denying and defying the Lord are brought to see Him as He is: the Mighty, True, Faithful and Merciful God. Such glorious vindication, when He brings those who have ignored and opposed Him to recognize, acknowledge and submit to Him!

In Matt. 5:44, the Lord Jesus speaks of this when He instructs us, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

Here, then, is a vengeance far higher than the "eye for an eye" of Moses' law! And a far more powerful vengeance, also. Paul says that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit over those who receive blessing for cursing is like hot coals poured on the head.

The advance of the Gospel in the Highlands is not happening unopposed. Entrenched religion and entrenched religious leaders fight the Gospel at every turn. With the power of the press, influence in the government and the ear of the multitude, they speak hard things, mock the Good News, beat down the Christians and rush to keep the needy from the way of life, from hearing and believing the Bible.

There will be a final reckoning, and there are serious consequences to what they are doing. God not only corrects and instructs; He is also digging a pit for those who refuse to hear Him. The bottom line (vs. 14) is that God will not abandon His people, nor leave helpless His inheritance.

Yet the God of vengeance seeks first to apply that vengeance which most clearly shows the fullest view of His character. He wants to bring them to repentance, brokenness, rest and life.

And in that, we can have a part.

In verse 16 of this Psalm, David asks, "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Spanish gives a slightly different flavor to this verse, changing "for" to "with": "who will rise up with me against the evildoers?"

David is recruiting fellow laborers.

So are we.

We invite you to join us in praying for the Jalisco Highlands, and specifically for the religious leaders (both the professional religious leaders and the non-professional). Pray they will be drawn to Christ. Pray that their work to stop the Gospel will be impeded. And pray for the believers in the Highlands, that we would be clear, bold and uncompromising in our message, while at the same time gracious toward those that oppose the Good News.

Verse 17 states, "Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence." If we here do not have the Lord's help, we will easily be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the opposition and end up silent, keeping our message to ourselves.

The six states that make up the Circle of Silence are hearing the Gospel. God is raising up intercessors and workers.

In the heart of that Circle, the Jalisco Highlands is beginning Ð only just beginning Ð to feel the impact of the Good News.

Stand with us, that the God of vengeance would avenge Himself and His message here by bringing many to Christ, even among the most religious.

Thank you,
Steve and Linda Montgomery