Day 18 God is Just

Day 18: God is Just

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. - Psalm 73:1-3

“Where’s the police when you need them?” That’s a thought that often runs through my head when someone’s driving puts others at risk. I want to see their recklessness punished and if I get to witness their humiliation correction, then even better. You may have similar thoughts when you witness people’s callousness towards other’s feelings or property. Where’s the teacher/manager/parent/police/etc. when you really need them? For the truly horrible stuff, it’s easy to wonder where’s God amid the situation? Why doesn’t God intervene or destroy those who do such evil things? Why does it seem like evil people get away with everything while I struggle and work just to make ends meet while trying to do the right thing? It’s so unfair. When you read to the end of Psalm 73, it gives you a foreshadow of what happens at the end of the story as described in the prophetic visions in Revelation. God’s holiness will prevail and the wicked will be judged by the only One who is perfect and impartial enough to administer perfect justice. Their comeuppance will arrive sooner or later – God guarantees it. It just may not happen as quickly or in a way that you think would be best. Along with being perfectly just, God is perfectly loving. We can never live up to God’s standard of perfection and holiness so He sent Jesus to earth so he could live a perfect life and die in our place to satisfy the death penalty for our missing the mark of holiness.

Suggested Guided Prayer Focuses:

• Spend time reflecting how your idea of justice is different than God’s. Pray: God, I know You are a just and holy God and my understanding of Your justice is colored by my hurts and experiences. Thank You that I don’t receive the justice and punishment that I truly deserve. Teach me to extend that grace and forgiveness to others.
• What injustice around you do you feel hurts the heart of God? As you pray for God’s intervention in this area, what do you hear God telling you to do about it?

Action Steps:

• Recognizing that justice is in God’s hands and in His timing, is there someone that I need to forgive – to release the debt that I feel they owe me? If needed, go back and listen to the Most Wonderful sermon series.
• God’s justice calls us to be a voice for those who feel powerless and are needy. Who in my life fall into these categories? As you spend time praying for them, how does God want you to show them His love?