Gratefulness For Justice

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. . . .

For you have judged in my favor;

from your throne you have judged with fairness.

Psalm 9:1-4

“It’s not fair.” How often that phrase comes to our minds when we feel we are mistreated! In this prayer, David resisted the all-too-human temptation to complain about injustice. Instead, he reaffirmed his faith in God’s justice, even though he had personally suffered and faced death at the hands of his enemies. Such mistreatment could have defeated David’s hope in God. But he refused to dwell on his cruel enemies or on the injustices that he was suffering and concentrated on his just and all-powerful God.

Instead of praying for God’s ultimate revenge on your enemies, pray that God’s justice will be carried out and leave the matter in his hands. Trust that he is sovereign and that we can trust our problems with others to him.

• Dear Lord, I praise you for being a God of justice . . .