## God is Just

## Psalm 7:1-17

This summer we have looked at a number of God's attributes, with the goal of getting to know Him in a deeper and more personal way. This morning I want us to consider that He is a just and righteous God. When was the last time we caught ourselves saying, "God, it's not fair. I give, go to church; I'm faithful. Why is this happening in my life?" Or we look at the world around us and ask questions like, "Why doesn't God do something to stop abortion. Why does He allow sinners to prosper? Is God just to let these things seemingly go on unpunished?" Is God just? Can we trust God to do right when everything seems to be going wrong?

Read text: 1 Sa. 24:9-15

David's name had been drug through the mud. It had been RUMORED that he wanted the throne. We don't know who first whispered this into Saul's ear, but, jealous of David's popularity, Saul easily believed it. David became a fugitive, pursued by Saul and 3000 handpicked soldiers. [2]

In verse 9, David let Saul know that he had heard the rumor. He calls it "men's words". There was no substance to it. Had it been true, Saul would have already been a dead man. Just moments before he had walked alone into the cave where David and his men were hiding. David's men said, "Look, God has delivered your enemy into your hand. You can do to him whatever YOU want." They urged him to take matters into his own hands. But what they offered was a HUMAN SOLUTION. David couldn't do it. He didn't have God's permission. As far as he was concerned Saul was still God's anointed. David wouldn't touch him. He would trust God to bring justice to bear in this matter.

Read: v16-17

Comparing v17 with verse 4 of Psalm 7 we see that David remembered Saul's words and they became the basis the prayer recorded in this psalm.

I. A Defense of God's Justice.

A. His supplication. v1-2

1. He opens his case with a declaration of faith.

2. He would not do as his men suggested and take matters into his own hands.

a. David's own men probably questioned his wisdom.

b. Had David only listened to them, Saul would be dead and David would be king.

c. But he would have been a king no different than Saul, a king who took matters into his own hands when God didn't seem to act quick enough. And that David refused to do.

d. He would wait upon God and trust in His justice.

3. He had learned that no matter how desperate a situation may appear, it is never wise to resort to human solutions.

B. His submission. v3-5

1. He was willing to be examined by God. "…if I have done this…"

a. Let God examine his MOTIVES for iniquity.

b. Let God examine his ACTIONS for evil.

2. He was willing to experience God's justice.

a. Let his persecutors prevail.

b. Let him be brought to ruin.

c. Let his guilt be known.

3. Here, David writes SELAH.

a. It calls for a pause.

b. It's David's way of saying, "I rest my case."

c. Lord, do whatever is right, I trust You to be just and righteous in this situation.

II. A Description of God's Justice.

A. It is according to the Word of God. v6-7

1. David's appeal for God to act was based upon the fact that God had 'commanded' judgment.

2. David's faith was not in what he SAW, but that which God had SAID.

3. By the Word of God he knew that God would not let sin go unpunished.

4. It's not a question of WILL God judge sin, but WHEN.

5. God doesn't settle all accounts at the end of the month!

B. God's justice is according to His righteous-ness. v8-10.

1. God is the Moral Judge of the universe; He WILL judge "the people" - saints and sinners.

a. He rewards the way of righteousness

b. He rejects the ways of sinners.

2. As a general principle, holiness produces happiness and sin produces sorrow.

a. Wickedness has an end; when men sin, they ultimately must face up to the consequences.

(Gal 6:7) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

b. Knowing that God judged in righteous-ness, examining the HEART and WILL (reins) of man…

c. David said, "My defense is of God." d. He would wait upon God to bring his case to a righteous end.

C. God's justice is according to His sove-reignty. v 11-16

1. God is PATIENT in judgment. v11

a. He is angry with sinners every day.

b. Every day, the wrath of God hangs over the head of the wicked.

c. Every day he faces the terrifying prospect of meeting the justice of God.

(John 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

d. The only thing separating the sinner from the wrath of God is the patience of God.

2. God is PREDICTABLE in judgment. v12- 16

a. If the sinner doesn't turn from his sin, God will punish him.

b. He will sharpen the sword of His justice.

c. He will fit his bow with an arrow of destruction.

3. David ends this section with two illustrations about sin.

a. He compares the sinner to an expectant mother.

1) He conceives sin in his heart.

2) It grows within him until he is full of it and labors to bring it forth.

3) At last, he brings forth 'falsehood'.

4) Sin NEVER satisfies as we thought it would.

5) The promised pleasure lasts but a season.

Note: Judges 4:17-21

6) That's the way sin is; in one hand offering milk while the other clutches a nail and hammer.

b. He compares the sinner to a clumsy hunter who:

1) Digs a pit and then falls into his own trap.

2) Throws a stone that falls on his own head.

3) David knew that men like Saul eventually fall to their own devices.

4) When it happens, it's God's justice at work.

III. David's Delight in God's Justice. v17

A. David's circumstances had not improved.

1. In a few days or weeks, he would again be on the run, hunted by Saul and 3000 choice soldiers.

2. But he wasn't worried.

3. He knew that the Lord was the "Most High."

4. No matter how desperate things might appear to be, God was still in control.

5. His righteousness was still at work.

B. God is just.

1. As evil as this world is, and as unfair as life may seem to be at time, we know that everything is still working according to God's Laws.

2. Sin will be punished.

3. Righteousness will be rewarded.

4. God's justice will prevail.

- Which side of God's justice are you on this morning?
- Do you know the Lord today?
- Have you received His mercy and grace?
- If not, I would like to invite you to come and receive His grace freely this morning.
- Without His grace, we are under His wrath.
- Christian, are we honest with God?
- Are we trusting in God's righteousness in every situation?
- If we are not in total submission to His will in our lives, we are missing so much of what God wants for us.
- Come today, whatever the need.