At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.
(Psalm 75:2)
Read: Psalm 75
Devotion: When we read a story or we watch a movie, what do we want to see? Typically, we want to see the good guy win and the villain defeated. Why is that? As those created in the image of the just and righteous God, every person has an inherent desire to see justice accomplished. Ironically, however, the world is filled with injustice and wickedness despite humanity’s innate desire for the opposite.
But that’s actually not very surprising. The answer for this paradox can be found in Genesis 3. Mankind sinned and the whole earth was cursed. Everyone is now conceived with a fallen nature that is bent toward sin (Ps 51:5). Fallen man cannot even discern justice correctly, often viewing sinful things as righteous and righteous things as sinful (Rom 1:18-32; Is 5:20). Even Christians can struggle with the question of why the wicked often flourish on this earth while the righteous suffer.
In Scripture we read of how God hates the wicked and that he will not let sin go unpunished (Exod 23:7; Ps 11:5), but then we look out at the world and there seems to be a whole lot of sin that is going unpunished. This apparent contradiction between what the Bible reveals about God and what we experience on this earth has caused much consternation and has led some to doubt the veracity of the Bible and even of God’s character. But, as with all issues of alleged contradictions between the Bible and and what we see, the fault does not lie with the Bible and God. The fault lies with us and our misinterpretation of both the Bible and present reality.
As Asaph realized when he was struggling with this very issue, we have a tendency to only look at what is directly in front of us rather than looking to heaven (Ps 73:1-16). Like Asaph, we need to remind ourselves of who our God is and that our present circumstances are temporary (Ps 73:17-20). Asaph learned his lesson in Psalm 73 and wrote Psalm 75. Rather than being brutish, ignorant, and like a beast toward God, as we often can be when we get impatient with his justice, Asaph was thankful toward God (Ps 75:1). Why? Because he knew that in God’s appointed time, all the evil deeds that have ever been done will be exposed and judged by the perfectly just Judge with equity, which can also be translated as “evenness” (v. 2). As Paul writes in Romans, God will render to each one according to their works and judge them with complete impartiality (Rom 2:6-11).
Yes, wickedness is not always judged in this life and evil people often prosper. However, all sins will be paid for. They were either paid for on the cross where Jesus took the sins of his people upon his own body, or they will be paid for at the final judgment and for all eternity thereafter. No sin will go unaccounted for. All injustices will be corrected. Those who are evil may boast while they have breath, but they won’t be boasting for long (Ps 75:4-5). The cup of God’s wrath is filling and those who take pleasure in robbing their neighbor, taking bribes, reveling in their adultery, and who otherwise love their sin, will be forced to drain that cup of wrath to its dregs (v. 8).
Meanwhile, as the wicked often prosper in this life, God’s children, the righteous, often suffer. As Paul writes, this suffering is inevitable for all who desire to live a godly life (2 Tim 3:12). But again, what is the end for the righteous and the unrighteous? The wicked will be cut off in the judgment while the righteous shall be lifted up (Ps 75:10). As we live in a world that is in the hands of Satan (1 John 5:19; see also Eph 2:2; 2 Cor 4:4), we shouldn’t be surprised that evil abounds and thrives. We must look beyond this world and beyond our present circumstances. Look to and hope in God, for with him and in him is perfect justice and peace forevermore. While you may not get justice for the wrongs done against you on this side of heaven, the Lord will judge with equity, and you can be sure that you will receive justice in the end.
Ponder and Pray: Ponder how you can grow in your trust of God’s justice. How can you hope in him while you live in a world full of injustice? Finish by praising God for his justice and how he will judge with equity.