History Books in 90 Days: 2 Kings 20-22
The Justice of God
Psalm 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the
foundation of His throne. (ESV)
In today’s verse the Psalmist writes of an all-powerful ruler, high and lifted up, reigning in justice,
fairness and impartiality. It was prophesied of the Messiah that He would judge the people with
righteousness and the poor with justice (Ps. 72:2). Justice embodies the idea of moral equity and
iniquity is the exact opposite. Judgment is the application of equity to moral situations and may be
favorable or unfavorable according to whether the one under examination has been equitable or
inequitable in heart and conduct. Justice, when used of God, is a name we give to the way God is,
nothing more; and when God acts justly He is not doing so to conform to an independent criterion,
but simply acting like Himself in a given situation. God is God, always, fully God, and can never be
other than He is. Everything in the universe is good to the degree that it conforms to the nature of
God and evil as it fails to do so. God is His own self-existent principle of moral equity and when He
sentences evil men or rewards the righteous, He simply acts like Himself from within, uninfluenced
by anything that is not Himself. Yet God is merciful. Is there a contradiction in His character? God
is a unitary being; He is not comprised of many parts working harmoniously but simply one. There
is nothing in His justice which forbids His mercy. God is never at cross-purposes with Himself. No
attribute of God is in conflict with another.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Can you see the necessity of God’s justice? Why is it so critical that God is both good and just?
Why can’t we separate His attributes?
2. Have you been critical about how God has treated you or someone else?
3. Are you willing to accept His goodness but wish He wouldn’t show His justice to you?
4. Spend some time thanking God for being a unitary being that we can completely trust. His
mercy and His goodness work harmoniously! Ask Him to impart into your heart a greater
understanding of this.