God Promises Justice

Psalms 7:9 O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.
 
AMEN. May it be so, LORD. This is a prayer each of us should often speak. It also would be good for every church to pray this each Sabbath. How good it would be if God ended violent wickedness in our communities. What peace we would know if God will make all who love him secure in their faith. Persecution would end. The Christian would have favor among his neighbors. All who say, “I love Jesus.” would know blessed, secure relationships with all around them.
   David prayed this as King Saul pursued him. David honored Saul as God’s anointed. He would not act against Saul. So he put the threat in God’s hands. David believed the LORD would justly judge Saul because God searches minds and souls.
   That is our lesson. God will justly judge our enemies – his enemies. And be alert. These enemies are even in the church. Note carefully that Jesus speaks his judgment on the church at Thyatira: Revelation 2:21 I have given her (Jezebel, a false teacher) time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
   God searches all hearts and minds. He knows who is righteous and who is evil. As Christians we must seek righteousness and stand truthfully against all evil. We must enforce God’s laws.
   Yet the ultimate judgment on evil is in God’s hands. “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39) Paul teaches us how to do this. Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the LORD. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (put him to shame) 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
   These are hard words for us to follow. But this is God’s teaching. The Christian life is not the world’s way. Stand firm against the enemy’s attacks on your faith and your freedom to worship God. Pray for them and point them to God through righteous living. Know the final verdict for their lives – and yours – is in God’s justice. In Christ, God has justified you by faith. Rejoice that you are secure in him.