Sometimes it seems there is no way to make sense of anything in this world.  The same people who cry for justice show no mercy to others.  The same people who champion the oppressed oppress other groups.  Dangerous criminals are released from jail; the innocent unborn receive the death penalty.  When these contradictions are pointed out, it simply inflames the situation.  Are we caught in some ‘other world’ where there is no solid ground?  No truth?  No hope?  Our enemy, the Father of Lies, would like us to believe that, and he would like us to give up in despair.

The world in which the Psalmist  lived was just as chaotic and evil as ours.  In fact, it was worse because the world had yet to experience the death, burial, and resurrection of  Jesus Christ.  The world had yet to know the church that God ordained.  Yet David declared truths in Psalm 9:7-10 that we can also celebrate.

First, the LORD maintains power and justice forever.  The significance of an eternal LORD, who established justice, is powerful.  While politicians drone on, and as segments of our society seem to spin out of control, we can wonder when it will end.  Evil is not eternal; the LORD is.  Justice will reign.

What is the justice of God based upon?  Righteousness and uprightness (Psalm 9:8).  Here is the sticking point.  What some call right, others call evil.  In fact, the Prophet Isaiah warns that this will happen when people reject God (Is. 5:20). This truth is exactly why many reject Christianity.  Those who reject self-control and live in complete self-indulgence are forced to reject God’s ways because they do not tolerate anything that curbs their appetites or reminds them that their choices are immoral.  Eventually they must reject truth.

But those who embrace the LORD and his ways do not need to fear.  The Psalmist reminds us that God is our safe place and he is there for us when we have trouble.  We find strength from the truth from God. We can, and must, champion righteousness.  Let us hold each other up and encourage good works, even if this evil world rejects our efforts.  The LORD will not leave us and we put our trust in him because our strength comes from him who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present with us.

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18 ESV)