Daily Devotional For May 11, 2025
And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered on account of the word of God and on account of the testimony which they had maintained. And they cried out with a loud voice saying, “How long, O Lord, the Holy and True One, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who live on the earth?” And each of them was given a white robe and was told that they should rest yet a little while, until their fellow servants and brothers, who are about to be killed as they were, should be made complete. Rev 6:9-11.
Orenthal James Simpson, known commonly as “O.J.” or “The Juice,” was one of the most famous running backs in American football history. His coach at USC, John McKay, said of his star player: “Simpson was not only the greatest player I ever had–he was the greatest player anyone ever had.” His NFL achievements included most rushing yards in a season, most rushing yards in a single game, and most touchdowns scored in a season.
After retiring from football, Simpson spent time working as a sports commentator, acting, and golfing. Interestingly, Simpson acted in the film “The Klansman,” where he played a man framed for murder by the police. While still married to his first wife, Simpson met seventeen-year-old waitress, Nicole Brown. Simpson married her in 1985. After what was described as a “rocky marriage,” Nicole filed for divorce in 1992.
Prior to the murders of his estranged wife and Ronald Goldman, the relationship between the Los Angeles Police Department and Simpson was one of admiration for his celebrity. Right up to the time Simpson fled in his Bronco, the LAPD deferred to his celebrity status by allowing him to surrender voluntarily to save him the embarrassment of a public arrest.
While Simpson was acquitted at the murder trial of his estranged wife, his friends in large part seemed to melt away, especially in upper-class Los Angeles. Simpson still plays golf occasionally, but never at his former home course, the Rivera Country Club. Members of that club informed his business manager, Skip Taft, that Simpson was no longer welcome there.1
The O. J. Simpson trial was the story of a man whose closest friends seemed to think guilty of murder, yet he was (rightly or wrongly) acquitted of the crime. This is the opposite of the situation in this text. “How long?” is a cry of protest. The saints are innocent, yet human courts have accounted them guilty. The good news is that a higher court reverses that ruling. While their vindication is not made public until the End, they are now on the winning side.
Lord, in a world of false accusations and unjust judgment, help me to hold my peace and trust in the ultimate vindication that You have promised.
1 Based on a biography posted at http://www.law.umkc.edu.