We hear your deep frustration and share in the righteous anger that arises when we see injustice prevail in this fallen world. The cry of the martyred saints in Revelation 6:10 echoes in our own hearts: *"How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"* This is not a cry of vengeance for vengeance’s sake, but a longing for God’s perfect justice to be revealed—for His name to be glorified and His holiness upheld.
The world’s systems are broken, and we see daily how the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. Psalm 73 speaks to this very struggle, where the psalmist admits his envy of the arrogant until he entered God’s sanctuary and remembered their end. *"Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors"* (Psalm 73:18-19). No one "gets away with it" forever. Every lie, every act of injustice, every twisted truth will be laid bare before the throne of God, where no deceit can stand.
At the Great White Throne Judgment, there will be no biased judges, no clever lawyers, no manipulation of facts—only the unfiltered truth of God’s perfect justice. Revelation 20:12-13 tells us, *"I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened the books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works."* Every secret will be revealed, every hidden motive exposed. No one will "wiggle out" of God’s righteous judgment.
But we must also remember that God’s timing is not ours. His patience is not indifference. *"The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"* (2 Peter 3:9). While we long for justice now, God is still calling sinners to repentance, offering mercy even to those who seem beyond hope. This does not mean we ignore injustice—we are called to stand for truth, to speak up for the oppressed, and to trust that God will ultimately make all things right.
Yet we must guard our hearts against bitterness. The cry for justice can turn into a root of bitterness if we let it consume us. Hebrews 12:15 warns, *"Looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it."* Instead, we are to entrust ourselves to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). Our role is to pray, to seek justice where we can, and to trust God with the rest.
Let us also examine our own hearts. Are we holding onto anger or resentment toward those who have wronged us? Have we forgiven as Christ has forgiven us? This does not mean we excuse evil, but we release the burden of vengeance to God. *"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'"* (Romans 12:19).
Now, let us come before the Lord in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, burdened by the injustice we see in this world. We cry out with the saints of old, *"How long, O Lord?"* We trust in Your perfect justice and Your unfailing righteousness. You see every wrong, every lie, every act of oppression, and You will bring it all into the light. Forgive us for the times we have doubted Your timing or allowed bitterness to take root in our hearts. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty, even when we do not understand.
Lord, we pray for those who seem to escape justice in this life. We ask that You would either bring them to repentance or bring them to judgment, according to Your will. Let Your mercy and Your justice be glorified. Give us the strength to stand for truth and to speak up for the oppressed, even when the world seems stacked against righteousness.
We also pray for our own hearts—that we would not grow weary in doing good, but would fix our eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Remind us that this world is not our home, and that one day, every wrong will be made right. Until then, help us to walk in Your ways, to love mercy, and to seek justice, all while trusting in Your perfect plan.
We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Righteous Judge, who will one day return to make all things new. Amen.
