Desiring the Justice of God (Esther 7:10)

In this episode of Pray the Word on Esther 7:10, David Platt reminds us of the good news that one day the justice of God will reign.

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.”
-Esther 7:10

This part of Esther is a good reminder to all of us that one day, ultimately, the justice of God will reign out. Haman had conspired to kill Mordecai, and had even built gallows for that purpose. And in the end, Haman found himself hanging on those gallows. And that obviously doesn’t play out this way always in this world even.

But scripture gives us clear confidence that ultimately in the end, justice will reign, the justice of God, the perfect justice of God. And the reality is, we live in a world where it seems like so much injustice reigns on so many different levels, in so many different ways. And it’s obviously discouraging, disillusioning in a sense. Because we long for justice, God’s built in us a desire for justice.

Esther 7:10 Reminds Us of Our Grief

And this is part of why we see the psalmist saying at different points, “How long, O Lord? How long will you how hide yourself and not punish the wicked in this way or that way?” And the refrain all throughout scripture is to keep your trust in the just God who will show his justice in the end. And in the meantime, not just to sit back passively waiting, but to do justice. This is what God requires of us, according to Micah 6:8.

Praying for Justice

And so we pray, well, just like Jesus taught us to pray, our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God, we pray for your justice to reign on the earth, for your righteousness to reign on the earth, for evil to be punished, for good to be rewarded. And yet, even as we pray for justice, we are reminded in each of our lives that justice for us, apart from mercy toward us, would mean hell for all of us, would mean eternal punishment for our sins.

Esther 7:10 Calls Us to Praise God for Sending His Son

So we praise you, O God. Even as we long for justice, we praise you for sending your Son to pour out the just judgment we are due in our sin upon him instead of us, so that we might become the righteousness of God, we might be forgiven of our sins and receive your mercy. Jesus, we praise you for taking our judgment upon yourself. And so we have all the reason in the world, all the reason beyond this world, to trust in you, that your justice will reign.

Praying for Endurance

And so we pray for perseverance, for endurance, for encouragement in a world of injustice. We pray that you would help us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Help us to carry out justice, to promote justice in ways that reflect your character. As we long for the day when your justice is complete in this world. All glory be to your name, O God, the righteous judge of all. May your just kingdom come, and your just will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.