Mohammed* was stopped at a road block driving his government truck. He had just picked up some people at the side of the road, as is normal in his country, not knowing they were participants in an anti-government protest. Mohammed was arrested, imprisoned without trial and regularly tortured in a police jail for over 3 years. For many, even most in the UK, David’s words in Psalm 7 can seem extreme, ‘Save me from all my pursuers and deliver me.’ v7 Mohammed’s story reminds us the bible is for all people, over all time, and is highly relevant in many cultures. David’s cry to God, ‘Arise, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;’ v6 is understandable. David like Mohammed was innocent and yet their lives were threatened. Where is the justice in that?
David however, does not seek to take vengeance himself but seeks protection v10 and justice v12 from God and in the end praises Him because he trusts in His righteousness. v12
Jesus taught and lived an even higher standard. ‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.44-45 Paul explains, Jesus died for us when we were enemies of his, ‘For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life.’ Romans 5.10
How is it that Mohammed could pray for his persecutors and leave justice to God? Only through first receiving the grace of God.
*Mohammed is not his real name to protect his identity.