Our prayers and... judgment?

I wrote a song several years ago with this basic message: God hears our prayers! He answers! There are even times when He answers in dramatic ways, delivering us in a swirling display of divine power... thunder, lightning, hailstones and more. It was based on Psalm 18 and Revelation 8 - but only the parts that I liked.

In reading those passages again, I see something I've been trying to avoid. Judgement. I don't like the fact that the tender heart of God that drew me to Himself is also the God Who pours out His wrath - yes, wrath - on those who defy Him and hurt His people.

Then I consider how any father would react if His children were rejected unjustly. I've been "loaded for bear" when people have bullied my children or treated them (in my books) unfairly. How much more do most of us respond that way when our children have been beaten, raped, tortured and killed. The Heavenly Father's Only Begotten was crushed under the weight of our sin. The power of God alone could deliver Him and us, bringing victory. The fact that He shows grace to anyone is at the very least astounding.

The psalmist prayed and deliverance was sure and swift - at the cost of his enemies' lives. I would be interested to study scholars' thoughts on any connection between Revelation 8:3-5 and the following judgements. It is sandwiched between the introduction of the angels with the seven trumpets and the judgements of those trumpets. Do our prayers for deliverance sometimes (often? always?) imply retribution on those from whom we're being delivered? While my taste for revenge might find that inviting, it's also a rather sobering thought.

I'm glad God figures that out. I continue to pray for deliverance for the people of God - and for the salvation of every person who is far from Him. It is the only hope for any of us.