Scripture

Psalm: 75, 76 & 23, 27
OT: Jer. 5:20-31
NT: Rom. 3:19-31
Gospel: John 7:1-13

Reflection

If you’re anything like me you look around at the world and wonder what is taking God so long to set things right. Many days I think, “If I were in charge I could get this place squared away pretty quick.” It is easy to judge because our judgement is typically not impacted by context or nuance. I think this is why the Scriptures often remind us who will ultimately judge the nations.

We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”

For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.

But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. (Psalm 75, ESV)

The Scriptures know that we as people look around and know that the world is not right. Bad people seem to have an advantage over good people. It appears that the bad guys get away with whatever they want.

So we judge. We take it on ourselves to call out bad people and their bad actions. Why? Because it certainly appears that nobody else will take care of it.

Yet, “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.” When? At the time that is set by God himself. He has appointed a time to judge with equity. We can rest in this promise and this truth. When that happens, evil will get its due and good will be lifted up.

The hard part is waiting for that day. The hard part is not getting fed up and trying to take control of something that God has promised to do. I suppose the question that we have to wrestle with is this, “Will we wait?”