Day 4

The Lord Is Just

from the Psalms of Rest reading plan


Psalm 92:1-15

BY She Reads Truth

On Saturday afternoons in autumn, one of my favorite things to do is find a hearty stew recipe, throw open the windows, and stream a great playlist of folk music. I once heard someone say that beauty will save the world. I don’t know if this is true, but I fully believe that savoring the beauty in life attunes our attention to God’s goodness. It can help alleviate the darkness pressing in around us by offering a parting of the clouds—a heightened glimpse of light and hope. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know my life can always use an extra reminder that God is working behind the scenes.

Psalm 92 is said to be a song for the Sabbath. It’s a declaration of God’s justice (v.15) and His faithful love both in the morning and at night (v.2). We need songs like this, songs of Scripture, to bury inside us and remind us what’s true. This way, on an afternoon that doesn’t feel very beautiful, we can sing the song that declares God is just and advocating on our behalf for the rightness of all things. When we meditate on these songs, our hope is restored. And we can find rest again.

In this psalm, we see a lot of interesting metaphors drawn from the natural world to describe the characteristics of the righteous person. Though the wicked “sprout like grass” (v.7), the righteous will thrive like “a palm tree” or a “cedar tree in Lebanon” (v.12). The righteous are planted in the Lord like roots of a tree and will live a fruitful life, becoming “healthy and green” (vv.13–14). These arborous metaphors symbolize—and prophesy about—the vibrancy of life hidden in Christ and the nourishment He gives us, just like water and sunshine to a plant. As we pursue a life of righteousness, our legacy becomes this anthem of God’s faithfulness, declaring “the LORD is just; he is my rock” (v.15).

I love how many layers are woven into this psalm. At first glance, we’re told it’s a song to accompany our Sabbath rest. But in reading the lines of verse, we detect the heartbeat behind it: a desire for all things to be made right. The only reason to declare God as “just” is if you’ve been touched by injustice and, by doing so, participate in an act of rebellion against it.

You’ve probably heard the truism: “All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” It was Julian of Norwich who first said it. She was an English woman who lived a solitary life devoted to God during the Middle Ages. Psalm 92 is the undercurrent to her words. They look ahead to a time when the fullness of God’s justice will have its reign on earth, even as we usher in kingdom wholeness today.

We can find true rest in the knowledge that God is just; there is “no unrighteousness in Him” (v.15). But He also chooses to partner with us in confronting the injustices of the world. Oh Lord, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Post Comments (144)

144 thoughts on "The Lord Is Just"

  1. Nicole Cope says:

    Tonight I’m declaring that God is my rock ❤️

    1. amy brown says:

      amen!

  2. Lauren G says:

    Thank you so much for sharing that. I am going through a season of trial after trial and wondering why…wondering where God is in all of this- a good reminder that I don’t see the big picture yet and God is working!

  3. Abby Graham says:

    A beautiful reminder ❤️

  4. Natasha R says:

    This study series on Psalms of Rest really come at a perfect time for me. I live in Hong Kong, and the city is going through chaos that no one imagined it would ever go through. There is so much anger and hatred on both sides, and I really don’t see how this can be resolved. Sisters, can you please pray for a res

    1. Natasha R says:

      Oh my, the message was sent before I could complete it. Anyway, can you please take time to pray for the quick resolution for the unrest here in Hong Kong? Thank you!

      1. Susan Purvis says:

        Yes, praying for you and for all in Hong Kong. I’ve been following several different news outlets here in the States, but I know we don’t get the full picture. Praying!

    2. Jen Brewer says:

      Praying ❤️

    3. Courtney McGinty says:

      Praying ❤️❤️

    4. Dee Garcia says:

      Sending all of my prayers out to Hong Kong right now Natasha! May you and the whole country stay safe. It is absolutely horrible what is happening out there I have been following it daily. My prayers are with you & I am praying for peace at last!

    5. Yani Abernathy says:

      Sending love and prayers ❤️

    6. Andrea P says:

      Lifting you and your city up in prayers. Praying for peace.

    7. Natasha R says:

      Thank you everyone!

    8. Meaghan Flowers says:

      Continuing to pray for your city ❤️

  5. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I love God’s faithfulness and knowing that He will make all things right in the end. I pray that I would continue to have my roots go down deep in him.

  6. Courtney says:

    Churchmouse:

    Thank you for sharing your husband’s experience. As an individual who has been in search of employment since a lay-off a few years ago (despite being highly educated and skilled), it strengthens my faith and gives me hope that God has plans for me yet, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. (Jeremiah 29:11) Thanks be to God!

  7. Katie says:

    I love these devos! I just wish there were some application or reflection questions at the end of each reading. It would help so much for journaling.

    1. Jessy Missfrauburk says:

      I second this

      1. Maddie Rhomberg says:

        I third this :)

    2. Emmy Cz says:

      I wholeheartedly agree!

    3. Kae Kirk says:

      Agreed!

    4. Tamara Doyle says:

      Agreed!

  8. Alexis Newlin says:

    I love the Star Wars Reference! It makes it fun to think of ourselves as the resistance, fighting with God for the good of the world. We all have The Force within us, that being the Holy Spirit. I love it!

    1. Jasmine Obispo says:

      Yes!!!!!!

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