The Lord’s Justice Wins!

“. . . But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.” (Psalm 146:9c)

*** This is the thirteenth in a series of devotionals from Psalm 146 – Published in the Hartley Sentinel Newpaper on February 27, 2025.

So far, in the series of articles from Psalm 146, we have looked at 8 reasons to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob. In this part of verse 9 the ninth reason is given to reassure our hearts that the Lord God of Jacob is the only one worthy to put our trust and hope in, and not in ourselves, and any other person or object. However, this reason also serves as a warning to those who reject the goodness and grace of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We are to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob because the Lord turns upside down the way of the wicked. The wicked will be treated entirely different than the fatherless and widow (v.9b). It’s a warning to the wicked, but at the same time it ought to comfort those who put their trust and hope in the Lord alone; His Justice wins!

What a comfort it is that though we may, in God’s Providence, suffer for a little while under the oppressive hand of wicked people, we are assured that the wicked devises and evil schemes they have devised against people will be turned against them.  Just when they think they have won, or have gained “control” over the people, the Lord will bring them down. In fact, the Lord God will use their own devises against them; and, they will see the power and might of God, as He brings those who are proud and high-minded (elitists) low. He will defeat their evil plans to oppress and defeat those who are in Jesus Christ by faith, leaning on Him for their well-being, and not on man.

It is in this humbled and defeated state that they will choose one of two very opposite directions: one, will end in eternal torment, the other by God’s grace that will end in eternal blessedness in the new heavens and new earth. On the one hand, they may dig their heels in, harden hearts even more, as they look to themselves and/or others for answers and solutions so they can continue their evil, bitter and hateful pursuits. They are so blinded by the Evil one, Lucifer (aka the Devil), they don’t understand that they can do nothing to defeat Jesus Christ and all those for whom He died for the forgiveness of sins, redeeming them from the bondage to sin; and by His resurrection three days later, secured an eternal inheritance; everlasting life. Their end will be defeat and eternal torment in hell (Revelation 20:7-15).

So blinded by their self-serving pursuits, the wick will refuse to accept the fact that they cannot overcome and defeat Jesus Christ or conquer God’s Chosen Elect in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-39). No wicked way; no evil devise; no plan of man can ever overtake and defeat what God has purposed for His redeemed people – the holy nation and kingdom; the nation of Israel and temple of God (being built not by man’s hand, but by God since the beginning) that is according to His grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. In fact, Satan thought he could defeat Jesus by putting it in the hearts of the religious leaders of His day to kill him; however, the Lord God turned their wicked plans upside down. This is what the apostle Peter said on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus was raised from dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right of the Father to reign over all things until He comes again (Acts 2:22-40; 1 Peter 2:1-10).

On the other hand, by God’s grace alone, those who have been humbled and defeated may come to their senses by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, repent of their wicked ways and by faith alone turn to Jesus Christ alone. Today is the Day of Salvation for all who by faith come to Jesus Christ in repentance of their sins and wicked ways, looking to Him alone for their salvation. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross; and in the shedding of His sinless and precious blood, He obtained on behalf of sinners the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, salvation and having been raised from the dead three days later secured everlasting life in the new heavens and the new earth, forever!

Either way, in a very real sense the ways of the wicked will be turned upside down.  Therefore, let this warning convict and humble our hearts to put your trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob, Jesus the Christ, the only Savior of sinners; the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Eternal Incarnate Lord of Glory! (I Corinthians 2:8; John 17:5).

Soli Deo Gloria!