As we hear more and more stories of Christians being persecuted for their faith, the word “vindicate” has a nice ring. Certainly for the martyrs that are imprisoned and put to death for refusing to deny Christ, but also for the people in free nations that lose their livelihood and have their name slandered for holding to their Biblical convictions. And even for people who are ostracized and ridiculed for living by godly standards and refusing to go along with the status quo.
When it costs us something to stand by our convictions, it’s hard not to wonder why God is allowing it to happen. Why won’t He right the wrongs immediately? Why won’t He vindicate us now? We must remember that God has all of eternity in His sights and His game plan is set and moving forward. God’s thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts, and we may not see the big picture until we get to heaven.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
But even when we don’t understand, we must still trust in God’s promises. God has promised that one day judgment will come. One day His people will be vindicated! One day we will prevail over every weapon that was forged against us and refute every tongue that accused us. Peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition are our heritage! Our vindication will come!
No weapon that is formed against you will succeed, And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17 AMP
This reminds me of John 17. Jesus knows he can’t take his disciples – those who were “given” to him, and he knows he’s leaving them to carry out a pretty significant and unpopular mission. He knows how brash, insecure and vulnerable these men are in the flesh. So he asks his Father to protect them from Satan. He’s fully aware of how hard it’s going to be for them and if there were an easier way, he probably would have taken it himself. These are some of the most tender words in the Bible.