APRIL 24
Psalm 82:2, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?”
Like countless others throughout history, the psalmist longed for true justice—justice that would rightly discern good from evil, uphold truth, defend the vulnerable, and hold the guilty accountable. In that same longing, humanity has created symbols to reflect its highest ideals. Among them stands Lady Justice, tall and resolute, with scales to weigh each case, a sword to execute judgment, and a blindfold to ensure impartiality. She embodies the hope that justice can be fair, swift, and free from corruption or bias.
Yet as noble as her image is, Lady Justice remains only a symbol—crafted by flawed hands in a fallen world. Human justice, no matter how well-intentioned, is often shaped by emotion, prejudice, ignorance, or self-interest. Even the most advanced legal systems can fail. The scales tip unfairly, the sword is misused, and the blindfold sometimes slips. She may represent what we strive for, but only God can perfectly fulfill justice.
In Psalm 82, the psalmist expresses his frustration at the failure of earthly judges to protect those most at risk—the weak, the fatherless, the afflicted, and the needy. He calls out for justice that is not partial or corrupt. Unlike human judgment, God’s justice is perfect, because He sees every motive and every hidden injustice. In His holiness, He cannot overlook sin, but in His mercy, He made a way: at the cross, justice and mercy met. Jesus bore the penalty of sin, offering forgiveness and restoration to all who trust in Him.
While we may often share the psalmist’s disappointment in human systems, we can rest assured that God’s judgment is always right. Ultimately, our greatest need is not for flawless earthly justice, but to be spared divine judgment—something possible only through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
“It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”—Romans 3:26
Application Questions: In what ways have you personally experienced or witnessed the failure of human justice? How does trusting in God’s perfect justice help you respond to those moments with hope instead of bitterness?
LookingtoJesus 