Rejoicing in Justice

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98:7-9 ESV

God is just, and his judgements are pure. The psalmist describes the celebrating of the whole creation when the Lord “comes to judge the earth.” Not only is he just, but a right response to his justice is rejoicing, and to be genuinely glad for it. As God’s people, we should join in the “roar” and praise him because he isn’t corruptible; he cannot be perverted or bought, he has no price. He isn’t like a judge presiding over our human courts, who can be swayed, payed off, or extorted.

Our God stands above and apart from creation as ruler and Lord. He is perfect in his judgements and pure in his justice. We, as the Church, are to commit ourselves to the truth in everything and rejoice in that fellowship with him. Our response to God’s judgements should be praise and comfort as we know they are right (Romans 2:2). If we worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) then wherever we find ourselves, and whatever we set our hand to, there we will love the truth, and act justly. It is in that, that we praise him, not legalistically, but in joy.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to grow in us a genuine love for the truth and the Father’s justice.