When the bottom falls out
What can law-abiding people do when doing good brings them only grief because those in power are so unjust? With nothing else to hold onto, we can cling to the God who will yet see that justice is done.
A David psalm.
1 I’ve taken refuge in YHWH.
How can you say to me:
“Fly away like a bird to the mountains?
2 Look, the wicked stand poised, ready to shoot!
They’ve put their arrow to the string
and bent back their bow
to shoot the upright from the shadows.
3 If the foundations of justice are destroyed
what can good people do?!”
4 YHWH is in his holy temple
his heavenly throne secure as ever.
He takes everything in
examines everyone everywhere.
5 YHWH the Just probes the wicked
and he can’t stand anyone who loves brutality.
6 He’ll rain down burning coals and sulphur on them
served up on a scorching whirlwind.
7 Being just
YHWH loves to see justice done.
Those who long to see things put right
will behold his face.
What can good people do when evildoers take control and mercilessly jerk them around? What can we do when the very people who should protect us attack us whenever they can and create or maintain institutions that dehumanize us?
Such moral chaos leaves just two options. Fear tells us to run for the hills—fear for our lives, our livelihood, our family, our social standing—and fear tells us that things will only get worse. So, we just give up and run away. The other option is to stay put, though we need a very good reason to do that.
But in the second have of the psalm, David goes on to give us that reason. YHWH is present not just in his holy temple—down the street—to hear and to help. Despite all appearances to the contrary, he’s also fully in charge and watching every move the ruthless make. He will call the violent to account and loathes all they stand for, just as much as he loves those who do right. Unlike the gods who foster corruption and injustice, he’s perfectly just and always sides with those who seek right relationships. He doesn’t always come running when we want him to. But his one and only response to evil is judgment, while he welcomes all who want things made right into a face-to-face relationship with him.
Prayer:
Lord, you see all evildoers do to crush and to kill, and you will yet judge their evil deeds. Thank you that, besides being just, you care for the weak and the poor. Please root out all corruption, end all violence, and replace it with true justice, I pray. Amen.
During your free moments today, meditate on this promise:
Being just
YHWH loves to see justice done.
Those who long to see things put right
will behold his face.
