It has since been more than three weeks and we have been seeking justice for the sake of 57 innocent people who have been mercilessly killed for the sake of selfish ambition and territoriality of the Ampatuan prowling lions of Maguindanao. In due time, the Word of God clearly elaborates more and let us hear what could be the cry for righteousness and justice of those who have been buried in the ground. Psalm 57 speaks of David’s cry for grace and mercy as he sought refuge from the terror of his most vehement persecutor who wanted to kill him; this Psalm too encapsulates what happened to the victims of the grim Ampatuan Massacre that has taken us aback. It is prophetic of what is currently happening and what could happen in the coming days, this is our cry before the God of Heaven.

    “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,

    For my soul takes refuge in You;

    And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge

    Until destruction passes by.”

Verse 1 is a cry for grace and mercy, and there could be no force more powerful than the grace of God which accomplishes everything for us. For by His grace John, Peter and Paul withstood the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and obtained justice for their causes. It is the grace of God by which every disciple of the Lord could stand and it is also the grace of God that allows every human being to exist in this planet whether they know Him or not. By His grace, we are covered under the shadow of His wings and take refuge in Him who is able to protect us. There is nothing to fear, not even the threats of the enemy. As David was pursued high in the mountains of Crags of the Wild Goats by Saul and his army, he eluded their vicious pursuit and twice he had the chance to kill Saul but he was even loathe to have cut the edge of his robe (1 Sam. 24:5).

Though Martial Law was imposed upon Maguindanao, we must not slip our eyes and keep our guards off but be on the alert and continue to plea for God’s help as David did for His mercy endures forever. Those who remain vigilant shall find the justice of their cause pay off.

    “I will cry to God Most High,

    To God who accomplishes all things for me.

    He will send from heaven and save me;

    He reproaches him who tramples upon me.

    God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. Selah.”

Verses 2-3 demonstrate to us that men may ask for help from institutions or fellowmen, but the spiritual man first considers His place of refuge the instant he senses danger. King David even confesses that the help of man is useless, and cried, “Give us help from trouble” (see Psalm 60:11). I always tell my children that the moment they need help and sense danger, they must cry to God, for God answers our call. “Call to me and I will answer you”, “Seek Me and you shall find Me” are His promises that are sure to get answers. God’s delays are not injustices though the natural eyes could decisively think it is. Just as David was about to be trampled by his oppressor, God sent men to warn him of the danger and God delivered His servant from the hand of his master. Indeed David can confidently say that “God accomplishes all things for him.” When he had saved the town of Keilah from the Philistines, and Saul decided to pursue David in that town, the Lord warned David to move out of the place because the people there will deliver him to Saul. In spite of this, David did not regard anything bitter to these people. He knew that soon God will bring damnation to his enemies for He will surround His servant with lovingkindness and overflowing cup of grace.

    “My soul is among lions;

    I must lie among those who breathe forth fire,

    Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows

    And their tongue a sharp sword.”

Here in verse 4 it is clear that David is alluding to men who have despised him and wanted him dead. Men who cursed him to death, and want nothing but to torment and kill him. Satan not only delights in killing men and oppressing them but doing so in the most barbaric manner because he thinks that the contorted images of men in pain and bondages are the images of God pleading for his mercy. Like many persecutors of the ancient past who knew only hatred and fiery anger, we now know that those 57 dead who were first abducted and taken by men who “breath forth fire” of threats, are literally sons of men whose “teeth are spears and arrows” whose lives bent on killing others for the sake of filthy lucre and power. Yet in spite of these circumstances, the next verse tells us that God is still in control and He is in exalted position over all the earth. It was when Nero thought that he owned the Roman Empire that his reign crumbled to ashes and his vision for glory was dashed to pieces by his own lust for pleasure and power. Men may think they “own the land” but it is God who decides to whomever He wills and gives it.

The British Empire sunk to oblivion and eventually has to be obliterated to pieces when it forgot the Lord and turned her back to her promises to the Jews. Had she been decisive to give herself wholly for the Jews or for the Arabs, both enemies could have known their actions earlier. Yet indecision or lukewarmness on such urgent issues further made her adrift until finally she has to bow before another Super Power raised up to finally replace her. When one shoots up like in the sky like flying a rocket or an airplane, one can only see the view of the marvelous blue planet beneath him. Some see the clouds as well as the contours of the mountains and houses below for a time. But soon we can only see the clouds that reflect only light.

Likewise, the earth below us when we are flying could be dealing with a lot of injustices that would even make the sane man revolt in fear or cowardice because of the degree of the crime, yet in spite of these, God does not focus on the evil, nor should we. We must look high above where God dwells and see like He sees, till we have understanding and be the agents of His justice on earth. It was only when Isaiah was caught up in the throne of God that he saw God’s glory enshrines the earth. No matter what happens, let us never lose hope, even when people try to prepare a trap or dug up pits for us. God does not wring His fingers and worry above, we only need to pray and He will intervene in our behalf. Those who think they are too mature not to pray will find themselves in great difficulties that not even their efforts or help of another man could move their mountains. Only God can move mountains, and only the prayerful man can dump it into the sea.

     “Be exalted above the heavens, O God;

    Let Your glory be above all the earth.

    They have prepared a net for my steps;

    My soul is bowed down;

    They dug a pit before me;

    They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.”

It is noteworthy to find here in verse 6 that indeed those who tried to persecute others will also literally try to dig up pits for their prey. Silence in the grave, they think will keep them mum forever, but even the dead speaks! Today we understand that those who truly dug up pits for the 57 dead have fallen into their own pits of depression, despair and destruction, “They themselves have fallen into the midst of it.” Not only do those 57 dead speaks stronger than the Ampatuan clans, they even multiplied, in the web, in broadcast, in dailies and around the world, the cry for justice has not stopped 3 weeks since the incident putting up the pressure on Mrs. Arroyo to finally declare Martial Law in the province and allow justified arrests on individuals or armed groups who may resist the law and the call for justice.

This may not be easy because people who have been kept in the dark for long, who have been used in serving their masters are loyal to that house where they are fed, as do dogs to their masters. But once light is shone on the brutality and degree of savagery of their masters, these people will find it easier to fend for themselves. People often loathe change, especially sudden change, but the judgment of God on the house of Ampatuan will be swift just as they thought they could manhandle everything as they “own” the land. These men are no gods as they claimed to be, these are but flesh and blood, and they shall reap what they sow on the land. They will get terror as their own properties and hideouts will be confiscated, abandoned and looted. Their supporters will also melt in terror as they try to hide and soldiers will hunt them down. Justice is the only means to redeem the land and the only way to bring good things back into it that is why it is said, “Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).

    “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;

    I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!

    Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre!

    I will awaken the dawn.

    I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to You among the nations.

    For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens

    And Your truth to the clouds.

    Be exalted above the heavens, O God;

    Let Your glory be above all the earth.”

No wonder in the end, we have to trust in the Lord, we have to have a heart that is steadfast or one that abides in Him. Many of us find it hard to believe that justice can be served, but let us learn to give grace to our government praying for wisdom on those with authorities that they will do their job well and that peace and justice will be achieved in the end. It is not our work to complain when we do not pray and take action on what should be done. Better be silent than a babbler who contributes confusion instead of life, liberty and clarity in the situation. When I know nothing of a situation, I always pray that God will enlighten me and help me see what He is doing in the midst of it and how I can be His voice or hand on that matter. This is how the “mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice (Psalm 37:30).”

If we all do this, then we can sing praise to the Lord, awake in His glory, awake in the dawn, and give thanks to Him for God will speedily answer our pleas with the justice His cause when we break the bands of wickedness, break every oppressor, clothe the naked, feed the hungry and not hide from those who need our help. The promise of God to those who do this is clear, “Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).” If we pursue helping others instead of oppressing or threathening them because they are most like us, the light that we shine will eventually serve its purpose, be a rearguard to those we are helping and teaching. Otherwise the fruit will be jealousy that results to murder. Let us seek the Lord’s justice and pray that the Army and the National Government will do valiantly through God, for it is He who show shall tread down the enemies of injustice and intransigent people.