Trust The Justice Of God In A Corrupt World

In a world filled with corruption, deceit, and injustice, believers often find themselves asking, “Where is the justice of God?” In Psalm 58, David addressed that very concern.

This Psalm encourages us to trust God and His perfect justice even when evil seems to prevail. David began by asking the following question about the word’ justice.’

Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land. Psalm 58:1-2

Maybe David’s question bordered on being rhetorical, but we’ll answer it. In general, justice refers to our treatment of others with fairness and righteousness, and its application to the law.

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In spiritual contexts, justice often transcends legal definitions, encompassing fairness, righteousness, and a right relationship with God and others.

It’s about restoring balance and harmony, both within oneself and in the world at large. It often focuses on compassion and mercy.

Spiritual justice emphasizes living in accordance with moral and divine laws, promoting love, kindness, and humility. David’s definition came from the Jewish law and the justice of God.

So, after asking if the rulers judged fairly, he immediately answered it with a resounding, No! David exposed the hypocrisy of leaders who claimed to uphold justice but instead committed evil.

They didn’t spread corruption by accident; they did it intentionally and deeply rooted. The Psalm continues by describing the wicked from their births to the Psalm’s present day.

These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play. Psalm 58:3-5

Break the Power of Evildoers

David continued by praying for God to break the power of these evildoers. He also asked Him to shatter their strength. He prayed in that manner because he understood the justice of God.

Break off their fangs, O God!
Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!
May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.
Make their weapons useless in their hands.
May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns. Psalm 58:6-9

David didn’t mess around when it came to injustice. In fact, he looked forward to the day when the godly would rejoice at seeing injustice avenged. He closed this Psalm on a positive note.

Then at last everyone will say, there truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth. Psalm 58:11

Just as in David’s time, corruption, dishonesty, and oppression have plagued our world today. From unjust governments to personal experiences of betrayal, we can easily feel disheartened.

Many people question why God allows wicked people to prosper while the righteous suffer.

This Psalm reminds us that the Lord sees everything. God doesn’t delay His justice because He lacks the power to do so. No, everything He does happens in His perfect timing. Peter wrote;

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9

God’s patience allows room for repentance, because we know the foreseeable future of His justice, which results in judgment.

David’s Bold Prayer for the Justice of God

We see a striking aspect of David’s boldness when he prayed for God to intervene decisively against the wicked. He didn’t hold back from using harsh words against unjust people.

He asked God to break the teeth of his enemies and make them disappear like a melting slug. David, however, didn’t call for personal revenge. Instead, he appealed to God’s righteousness.

As Christians, we know that during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to love our enemies. The Apostle Paul also reminded us in Romans to leave vengeance to God.

We can appropriately cry out for the justice of God. But we must entrust Him for the outcome. When we face injustice and ask God to act, we must also forgive those who have wronged us in the process.

David’s conclusion included a declaration of hope: “Surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” This verse assures us that the justice of God covers the future and our present.

While evil may seem to triumph temporarily, the justice of God will prevail. When someone wrongs us, we can rest in the assurance that God sees and will make all things right.

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7

This Psalm focuses on God’s judgment on the wicked.

However, it also calls us to examine our own hearts. We can do that by asking ourselves the following two contrasting questions.

Are we reflecting God’s righteousness, or compromising with the world’s corruption? Micah repeated for us what the Lord said was good.

O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Living Righteously in a Corrupt World Means:

Choosing integrity even when no one is watching.
Speaking truth even when lies are easier.
Showing mercy while trusting God to handle ultimate justice.

As followers of Christ, our lives should bear witness to God’s justice and love. Because one day Jesus, our Righteous Judge, will set all things right.

For the believer, we will celebrate a day of vindication and reward. But the unrepentant wicked will see a day of reckoning. They will experience the full brunt of the justice of God.

Our hope in Christ allows us to endure present injustices with faith. Romans 8:18 reminds us, ‘What we suffer now won’t even compare to the glory Christ will reveal to us later.’

This powerful Psalm reminds us that God, our Righteous Judge, sees and will deal with all injustice. While evil seems to prosper for a time, the timing of the justice of God is perfect.

Lord, thank you for being a God of perfect justice. Help us to live righteously, to forgive those who wrong us, and to trust your timing. Give us the ability to show compassion to the lost.