Where is the justice in this world? As the Book of Ecclesiastes bears witness, God’s people have been asking this question for a long time. When the Babylonians tore down the Temple, when the Romans crucified Christ and threw His followers to the lions, when the followers of Mohammed killed Christians who would not submit to Islam, when followers of Christ were and are held in slavery, God’s people have cried out for Him to set things right.

Well, in Psalm 75, Asaph records God’s answer to our pleas: “I have firmly set” the pillars of the earth (Psalm 75:3). So, no matter how powerful our oppressors may seem, God, the Creator, is the One Who has complete authority over the world He has made. That means that nothing that happens here is outside of His control.

And God goes on: “It is I who judge with equity” (Psalm 75:2). That means we have no need to depend on some human government or elected official to provide justice for us. No, in God’s “appointed time” (Psalm 75:2) He will silence the boastful and remove the power of the wicked (Psalm 75:4).

So, what’s our job? Of course we should do what we can at the ballot box to ensure equal opportunity for everyone. In the jury box and on the witness stand we should do our part to make sure that everyone’s rights are protected. But our faith and hope shouldn’t be in any human system of government or any human leader. Instead, we are called to declare God’s justice, and to sing His praise. For He is the One Who will ultimately destroy the wicked and lift up those who live in accordance with His good and perfect will.

Psalm 75 (NASB)

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.
We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks, For Thy name is near; Men declare Thy wondrous works.
2 “When I select an appointed time, It is I who judge with equity.
3 “The earth and all who dwell in it melt; It is I who have firmly set its pillars. Selah.
4 “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn;
5 Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.'”
6 For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
7 But God is the Judge; He puts down one, and exalts another.
8 For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, and the wine foams; It is well mixed, and He pours out of this; Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs.
9 But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.