I call this picture "a hobbits bridge" because it reminds me of a hobbit hole from the Lord of the rings. In reality, its just a bridge like any other, but the reflection in the water makes it look like something else. Recently, I read a post on one of my favorite blogs that disturbed me a great deal. The author had a problem with imprecatory prayer (a prayer for justice against the wicked) and his comments belittled this passage from the Psalms. Imprecatory prayer is not UN-Christian, but only the contrary, very Christian. To the unbelieving, prayer of this sort seems evil and unworthy of those who follow God, but things are not always what they seem. Please read both the Old Testament and New Testament passages.
Psalms 109:1-8 WEB (R)
(1) God of my praise, don't remain silent,
(2) for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
(3) They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
(4) In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
(5) They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
(6) Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
(7) When he is judged, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.
(8) Let his days be few. Let another take his office.
Acts 1:16-20 WEB (R)
(16) "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
(17) For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.
(18) Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.
(19) It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called 'Akeldama,' that is, 'The field of blood.'
(20) For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;' and, 'Let another take his office.'
In Acts chapter one, Peter quotes from the Psalms and therefore validates its usage (even though it needs no validation). Imprecatory prayer should NOT be the prayer of a hard, evil heart, but rather a trust in God that longs for JUSTICE! It is not wrong to want God to make those things that are evil about us right, but necessary. I didn't say pleasant; I said necessary! We live in a world that desperately needs God; one that needs the JUSTICE that only GOD can supply. When we pour out our heart to God for change, we express dependence upon HIM to do what is right. We don't take matters into our own hands, but rather express the turmoil of our heart to HIM who will sort all things out according to HIS WILL and not ours. So, our prayers take on a whole new meaning when we diligently seek God to intervene in our lives. "O, LORD, look down on the world around me and confront evil and pronounce JUSTICE and JUDGMENT according to your will and not my own"; this is my prayer and my longing.