God’s Awareness #6—Weighty Vision

Yahweh reigns powerfully forever; his eyes keep watch on the nations. The rebellious should not exalt themselves. Psalm 66:7

We are not the first to wonder if the bad guys “get away with it.” The prophet Habakkuk cried out, “How long must we wait for your salvation?!” One psalmist despaired that the wicked continued to grow sleek and fat, and when they finally died, they felt no pain. While exultation and exaltation by the wayward is not uncommon, it is misinformed. Although evil people may have succeeded temporarily, even to the point of leaving an inheritance for their children, the long-term consequences of their actions have yet to be felt. There is no escape velocity from the gravity of God. Neither personal entities nor national entities have any reason to boast in their accomplishments, because neither has accounted for the mass of God’s mercy or justice. Faced with the threat of God’s wrath, Nineveh repented and God relented, but most of history’s arrogant wicked have failed to understand the weight that hangs over their heads. God is not blind to the efforts self-centered people exert to elevate themselves at the expense of others around them. Eventually, they will experience his displeasure. Failure to submit to his governance and to trust his providence will be punished accordingly, but often surprisingly. As we look among the nations, we may not always understand what he is doing. It may appear that the wicked surround the righteous, that justice is perverted, but they are premature in their triumphant celebrations; for God has yet to weigh in.

Sovereign Lord, active in ways we would not believe even if you told us, grant us courage to forge ahead unafraid, confident that justice will never fail as you wisely rule.