Psalm 9:7-10 - February 3, 2009

Ps 9:7-10 “The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” NIV

As trust is the centerpiece of every healthy relationship, so the character of God is our foundation stone for a trusting relationship with him. God declares himself to be just, and full of wise judgment. Jesus declares in John 5:30 “I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” Because God is not a biased judge but centers his dealings with man firmly on the principles of justice not a self-serving motivation we can live in confidence before him. Not only does our God judge justly but he judges with mercy and comforts us in Ja. 2:13 with the knowledge that mercy triumphs over judgment. What a wonderful truth that our God holds up a righteous standard and then provides the means for meeting the requirements of his justice through the merciful blood of Christ.
The nature of human justice is consistently tempered by personal agendas and limitations but God presents himself to us consistently in a different spirit. When James and John were ready to call down fire on the town that had rejected Jesus in Luke 9:55-56 his response to them was, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." God’s primary desire is the redemption of man not the destruction of the wicked and therefore his motive in bringing judgment is not centered driven by a need for revenge or some other human motivation in judgment.
True government was intended to protect and provide for the people and God establishes the fact that in him and through his government we have a place of refuge that we can run to. Because the motives of his rule are entirely pure we can run to him as a stronghold and not fear the abuse of power that comes when the corrupt nature of man is entrusted with too much power. In fact the scriptures present the reality that those who seek God will never be forsaken.