Psalm 9:8 says: “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.” This is a needed reminder for many of us. It can be difficult to watch wicked people — or those of God’s people who have compromised His ways — seem to prosper. Is there no justice in the world?

But this verse reminds us: God will judge righteously. He will do what is right regarding every person. Our responsibility is to TRUST that what this verse says will indeed happen, although it may not appear to be the case now. How many people are there who might say to us: “You don’t understand what I am doing now, but just trust me!”? If there are human beings whom we would trust like that, how much more should we trust God? He will indeed judge this world righteously, and execute judgment for every person, and every situation, fairly. When all is said and done, no one will ever say in eternity, “God did not do well by me.” He will do what is just and right.

On the other hand, we need to be careful in asking for justice and righteousness for others — do you want the same standard of God’s justice applied to you that you are asking for others? Do you want what you “deserve”, or God’s mercy? James 2:13 says, “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Perhaps instead of crying to God for justice regarding others, we had best pray that He would show them the same mercy that we would have Him show us!