Fairness and equal justice: We can hope for it but don’t expect it.
In this Psalm, David expressed a desire for fairness and equal justice, but he understood he would only get that from his God. As young children, as all of us once were, we were rarely fair to others but we expected it from everyone else. We would happily snatch candy from a friend but god-forbid if they were to do the same to us.
“That’s not fair!”
That is a common cry of complaint that comes from young children. As we mature, we come to realize the iniquity of justice is commonplace. David experienced it and so have you and I. We’ve heard the expression, ‘It’s a dog-eat-dog world.’ Well, the dogs are out, and they are consuming each other. They were out on David’s day too. There is nothing new under the sun. When the first brothers argued, the younger one died. That says all you need to know about mankind.
A fire is coming, fairness and equal justice will follow
God has promised to fix the problem. In the near future, the Lord will send the cleanup crew in. He used a flood the first time. The Word of God promises a cleansing fire the next time.
King David, the writer of this Psalm lived a great life. His life included great mountain peaks of glorious victories as well as devastating valleys in which he suffered humiliating defeats. He is revered as the greatest king in a long line of kings who reigned over the nation of Israel. But, as is the case for anyone who dares to lead, he had many enemies. At every turn, his enemies were there, trying to take him down. If they couldn’t kill him, they tried to shame him or rob him of his kingdom. In his later days, they even attempted a palace coup. It almost worked and it led to the tragic death of a favored son. But a great irony of the coup attempt was that the deep state of David’s day tried to usurp power by planting the favored son in his father’s place.
No fairness and equal justice here.
One of the greatest attributes of this great man was that he always returned to his core values. His most important core value was his trust and love of God. As he rose in prominence and fame his enemies rose up and challenged him. When he suffered defeat, he turned to his God.
In this Psalm, he cries out to God for fairness and equal justice. He knows he won’t get that from his enemies, but he knows he will receive it from the Lord. But he also learned a very hard lesson. Fairness and equal justice were something he would have to wait patiently for. Are you or I willing to wait patiently for fairness?
We better be.
https://thewritelife.tech/2019/08/18/a-video-overview-of-the-book-of-psalms/
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Injustice, it drives these people crazy.
Psalm 17:1 With God as my witness…
“A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry. Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.”
David presented his call for justice to God. He declared that he was being truthful, obviously, his truthfulness was questioned by his enemies. God is the best judge of such things, but when people don’t believe in God they have a tainted view of humankind. Liars tend to believe everyone is lying. Christians are taught in God’s Word to think the best of others and believe they are telling the truth, though it must be verified. This presents a sharp contrast between the two world views. Some people think everyone is lying, while others will give the benefit of the doubt.
Psalm 17:2 Let God be my judge
“Let my judgment come forth from Your presence. Let Your eyes look with equity.”
David had reached a point in his life where he knew he would not receive fairness and equal justice from his enemies. Even his friends were often suspect. The same is true for us today. I have felt the cold steel of a blade in my back that was thrust in by a friend. Or I should say one who I thought was a friend. I suspect you have experienced the same thing. We shouldn’t be alarmed. It’s a defect within humanity. The Bible predicted Jesus would face betrayal from a friend. When we face the same lack of fairness and equal justice from a friend, we need to remember the reaction of our Lord. He asked His Father to forgive them, but he also said woe unto them that do so…
Psalm 17:3 Better to be judged by God than men
“You have tried my heart, You have visited me by night. You have tested me and You find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.”
If I trust God to be my judge I will be in good hands. Some of our pretend friends are ready with a knife for our backs if given the chance. Our enemies have even worse motives. But God sees our hearts and judges by equal standards. Jesus came unto his own people and they rejected him. When he returns in judgment, he will still bear the scars from the wounds he received from his friends. None of our scars can match the ones he received, but if we do receive similar wounds they are part of our testing and journey of faith.
Psalm 17:4 Walking the straight and narrow
“As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept from the paths of the violent.”
In order to receive the just reward we hope to receive from God, we must keep to the path he has set for us. It’s easy to steer off course. The errant path is the one most people take. It’s an easy road filled with pleasure and enticement. The rewards come after we have finished our course, not before.
Stay the course.
Psalm 17:5 Staying clear of slippery paths
“My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped.”
One of my favorite hiking trails, ‘the mist trail’ starts at the floor of Yosemite Valley. During the spring and early summer, the trail earns its name. The mist from Vernal Falls pours like a heavy rain upon the hikers. It is a treacherous path in several places. To say the least, it is very slippery, but I enjoy the journey. But if I slip on that path my life could be at risk. If I slip on dangerous paths in my life journey, without Christ, my soul is in danger.
That’s not a wise risk. The payment for a mistake on that slippery trail is too steep.
,
Psalm 17:6 Call and God will answer
“I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God. Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.”
David knew who to call. The Lord always gives fairness and equal justice. If you seek it you should call the only One who will provide it consistently.
Psalm 17:7 The wonderful kindness of the Savior gives fairness and equal justice
“Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them.”
David had his enemies, and so do we. Satan is the enemy of all of us so we have that common, relentless enemy. He is the accuser of the followers of Christ. Jesus, our Savior, provides a good place of refuge.
Psalm 17:8 The apple of God’s eye
“Keep me as the apple of the eye. Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”
I’ve spent many years as a pastor. That’s been an honor to serve the Lord in that capacity. I also worked and thoroughly enjoyed many years as a carpenter and helped build many thousands of homes, schools, etc. (No that number is not an exaggeration.) In those years, before eyewear was required, I suffered several eye injuries. I have had shards of metal, glass, and wood in my eyes. And yes, that hurts a lot. Thank the Lord the eyes always healed with the help of good medical attention. I appreciate this verse because I know how precious my eyes are. God protects his children with the same care as we protect our eyes.
Psalm 17:9 Deadly enemies surround the righteous in need of fairness and equal justice
“From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies who surround me.”
This verse continues the thought of the previous one. David asks for protection from those who mean him harm. They seek his death.
Psalm 17:10 The proud, unfeeling heart
“They have closed their unfeeling heart, With their mouth, they speak proudly.”
The hearts of David’s enemies are made of stone. They care not if he loves God. Many people in our day are greatly offended by those who follow God. They spew utter filth from their mouths at those who try to follow God. It’s the same every day, month, year, or century. The enemy of God ensures that the people of God are harassed by unfeeling hearts. It’s par for the course, but stay strong.
Psalm 17:11 Surrounded and thrown to the ground; lacking fairness and equal justice
“They have now surrounded us in our steps, They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.”
Oh, you wanted fairness and equal justice. I’m sorry, there will be none of that today or ever until Christ returns and brings just judgment with him. We mustn’t be surprised if people would rather throw us to the ground rather than treat us with fairness and equal justice. It’s better not to expect it and be surprised when we do receive it on rare occasions.
Psalm 17:12 The proud tears like a lion
“He is like a lion that is eager to tear, And as a young lion lurking in hiding places.”
If they can, they will tear into you like a lion. This may seem a rather dismal report on the condition of humanity. If it does, I would ask if you’ve been outside lately. As a pastor, it is my unfortunate duty to be aware of the ugly side of humanity. It’s important to have a realistic view of all sides. There is an enormous amount of very good people in the world. People generally do good to one another, but every day we see great tragedies in which humans turn on one another. There is a reason for that, the Bible has a clear explanation for it. Mankind is sinful and selfish. David, in this Psalm, hits some of the key points.
Psalm 17:13 Deliver my soul. Asking for fairness and equal justice
“Arise, O LORD, confront him, bring him low. Deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword.”
David knew he could count on God. We should do the same. His life was surrounded by vicious enemies at times. God saw fit to protect David through the dangerous roads he traveled, even the sad palace coup I mentioned earlier. He may do the same for us, but whenever he takes us, we can trust his plan.
Psalm 17:14 Who settles for second best?
“From men with Your hand, O LORD, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your treasure. They are satisfied with children and leave their abundance to their babes.”
People of this world, those who love this world more than God’s kingdom are satisfied with it. God’s children should not settle for second best. The best that we can attain to isn’t in this life. There is much better satisfaction in the life to come. That doesn’t mean this life can’t be lived in a glorious fashion. A good pastor friend recently said something to me that was odd but very encouraging.
I told him about some personal goals I am pushing towards. He said, “Go for it. Suck the marrow out of life.”
“Huh?” I did a double-take and said, “Well I don’t know if I’ll be sucking any marrow, but I am going to go for it.” It was funny, we both laughed, and I am looking for some bones of life to suck the marrow out of.
I know that sounds gross but I’m not going to settle for second best. You shouldn’t either.
Psalm 17:15 Settle for the best and nothing less.
“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”
David had his mind and eyes on the real prize in life. He was a great king, and had spectacular victories and life experiences, but had a greater prize in mind. If we live this life and don’t have God as our true reward then we haven’t really lived. If the author of life is not our greatest treasure we are settling for less than we should.
Suck the marrow out of life. Get all you can in this life and the one beyond. And while you’re doing that don’t be surprised when you don’t get fairness and equal justice from other marrow-suckers on the path of life.
David looked forward to dying. In that next glorious chapter, he would awake in the presence of God.
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