Justice Will Prevail in the End: In God’s Time
It’s hard to believe that justice will prevail in the end without seeing any evidence. That’s how human beings think. Injustices surround us and tend to suffocate hope. If you’re like most Christians, you long for days of righteousness (right living).
David exclaimed this sentiment.
Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”
You feel the same way. You pray and God doesn’t change circumstances or seems far off. Consequently, you feel abandoned. For example, in the U.S., government officials commit blatant sins. All the while, law-abiding Christians remain faithful to God while wicked people carry out acts against Him and His people. Justice is nowhere in sight.
Your flesh wants revenge and looks forward to seeing these wayward people wear white and orange-striped jumpsuits in prison.
But God’s view of justice is different. He doesn’t respond to our timetable and extends mercy and grace giving people time to repent and turn from sin.
Still, you and I ask tough questions as David did (see David’s raw honesty in Psalm 55-MSG). Jesus asked God the very same question (why have you forsaken me) when on the cross. He cried out in pain because separation from His Father was unbearable.
In Psalm 22, David cried out to God day and night and could not rest. God seemed silent. Then just as quickly, David reminds himself that God is holy. His ancestors trusted God to deliver them from their 400-year slavery in Egypt.
David also mentioned how enemies of Christians mock us when we trust in God and nothing seems to happen. And he doesn’t leave that thought hanging in mid-air. He turns to God for wisdom.
David declares God’s name in his community and the congregation. He praises, glorifies, and stands in awe of God. David stays meek and worships his Creator.
So remember this.
Justice Will Prevail in the End Because God Has a Plan
God’s silence doesn’t mean He turned His back on you. He sees and knows all but takes an approach unlike what you and I would.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result, you are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you suffer. God is just: He pays back trouble to those who trouble you and gives relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This happens when the Lord Jesus reveals Himself from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
He punishes those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They are punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes when glorified in his holy people and marveled at among all those who believe.
When wrong seems to win over right, you’re angry. You want justice when ungodly people treat others unfairly and go scot-free. Just know, you aren’t the only one people wrong, never apologize to or make it right.
You may decide to hold onto unforgiveness and bitterness, clinging them tightly to your chest. You want justice now. To further poison your soul, you may replay hurtful situations over and over. Surely, justice will win out over unrighteousness. In most instances, that’s not true.
Don’t throw up your hands in disbelief and disgust. God understands how you feel. He knows you face persecutions and afflictions on this fallen earth. At the appropriate time, His justice will prevail. God holds those accountable that rebel against Him and reject His presence.
Until God’s justice prevails, what do Christians do?
When God’s justice seems a long way off, I am frustrated and fed up with waiting. Watching injustice parade in the hallways and byways of life lights an unholy fire inside me. Yet, our Commander In Chief wants Christians to do these things mentioned in Psalm 37.
- Don’t fret
- Trust God
- Do good
- Delight in God
- Do everything with God in mind
- Be quiet and patient
- Hope in God
- Remain meek
Psalm 37:1-11 – Justice Will Prevail
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they soon wither, like green plants they soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he gives you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He makes your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked are no more; though you look for them, they can’t be found. But the meek inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
It’s a tall order to remain steadfast when evil seems to have no limits or restitution. Remember, God’s justice will prevail in the end. The will of God is His Word which is faithful and true.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Psalm 94:1-2, 21-22
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.