Psalm 94 take 2

Intro

justice is such a tricky topic, because there is nobody who is unbiased.

look at kids, for example. My girls are so ready to tell me when the other one has done something wrong, but they’re so ready to hide and deny when they e done something wrong themselves. this is a tricky thing to handle as a parent, because I want to make sure that I do my best to deliver justice to them. I don’t want to just continually blame one of them without finding out what went wrong, I don’t want to let anyone off the hook,

the issue only gets more complex as we get older and as the scale gets larger.

injustice is rampant

We feel it

Psalm 94:1–7 ESV

O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”

State the immediate context

apply it to modern day, we feel the effects of injustice in our own lives or in the lives of others

but I always feel a little weird about this, like I’m throwing rocks while living in a glass house

We contribute to it

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

State that nobody Upholds Gods justice

apply it,

God judges injustice

God repays evil

Psalm 94:8–11 ESV

Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

The people of God ultimately looked to God to bring justice when they were oppressed

This is both comforting and concerning for us

omforting because our longing to see justice will ultimately come to fruition

concerning because we have not upheld justice to the degree that we ought to

so how should we feel about this? Should we be comforted or concerned?

the answer is completely dependent on who you understand Jesus to be.

In Jesus we see the perfect justice of God meet the perfect mercy of God.

Jesus has taken the punishment for those who repent

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

God’s people rest in God’s justice

In Christ, you are forgiven

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, your enemies are dealt with. So love them!

Romans 12:19–21 ESV

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.