Strike The Scales Off Our Eyes - Psalm 94 - Psalms Now - Leslie Brandt

"Even those of us who name Your name
and sing Your praises
are often indifferent to or careless about
the needs of our fellowmen about us.
We stand indicted, Lord.
Our calloused self-centeredness has perpetuated
the wars and poverty and bigotry
that abound about us.
We don't hate these people, Lord.
We just don't really care about them

"Is it possible, O Lord, that we are Your enemies?
That we are thwarting Your purposes
and abusing Your children upon this world?
We are busy with good works, Lord.
We build churches and send forth missionaries
and establish schools and hospitals
and homes for the elderly.
But we don't like the ghettos, Lord,
or the people who can't speak our language
or don't appreciate our patronizing gifts.
They frighten us when they reach out
for what we have labored for,
our affluence, our respectability,
our right to be wealthy
and comfortable and secure.
Sometimes, Lord, we just don't like people.
Why don't they leave us alone
so we can love and serve You in peace?"

"Thank You, God, for not pouring out Your wrath
upon those who are disobedient to You.
We have been Your enemies.
Even while we worship
in our comfortable sanctuaries,
we have stood in Your way.
And thank You, God,
because You love even Your enemies
and through Your chastisement
may translate them into sons."

"Strike the scales from our eyes, O Lord,
that we may see Your handwriting on the wall
and accept Your chastening love
and return to You in repentance and faith.
Strike the shackles from our hearts and hands
that we may reach out to demonstrate
and to relate Your love
to Your children all about us."