The One Who Judges Justly

When they hurled their insults at [Jesus], He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. —1 Peter 2:23

We all like the idea of a loving God who is patient with us. In Christ, He forgives, redeems, and restores. He has set His affection on us like a parent loves his children. But what about a God who is Judge?

When the Bible describes God as Judge, it is describing God as a righteous King who governs, reigns, and defends His people. In His goodness, He is a Judge who promises to right all wrongs. As the psalmist declared,

The Lord is a God who avenges. — Psalm 94:1

Why is this such good news?

The good news is that God is not indifferent to the hurts we experience. Neither is He uninterested in the ways others have sinned against us.

If you have been hurt or wounded, know that God loves you. And because He loves you, He will not let sin go unpunished. Always the just Judge, He will take care of the wrong in His way and in His time.

Maybe someone has damaged your reputation. Perhaps you have been treated unfairly. Whatever wrongs you have experienced, God has promised to make them right one day.

So let God be Judge. You and I don’t have to try to punish or get even with those who hurt us. We can forgive and pray for them instead. We don’t have to be the judge. Like Jesus, we can entrust ourselves to the One who judges justly and find the freedom to love and bless others.

Lord, You are King of all creation. I know that one day You will make right all wrongs. In the meantime, please guard my heart from anger and the desire to get even. Help me entrust myself to You, the One who judges justly. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• How can the knowledge of God as Judge free you to forgive and love those people who have hurt you?
• Are you are trying to punish someone in your life? How can you entrust yourself today to the One who judges justly?

Excerpted with permission from The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk, copyright Ruth Schwenk.

* * *

Your Turn

That person who has wronged you?.. God will handle it. The group that unfairly rooked out of what you deserved?… He sees and He will make it right. You don’t need to repay wrongs. God is the judge! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily