“When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish before your presence.
For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
their cities you rooted out;
the very memory of them has perished.
But the Lord sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice,
and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.”
—Psalm 9:3-8 ESV

Sometimes it seems like the wicked rulers of this earth will live forever. They appear invincible to any attempt to bring them to justice. Their reign seems without end.

But these verses remind us to lift up our eyes and see events from an eternal perspective.

Though they may look larger-than-life now, even the memory of the wicked will perish.

One day, they will be no more.

But God sits enthroned forever.

His reign will never end, and one day he will bring justice to those who oppress the innocent.

This is why so the Biblical authors speak of the coming day of judgment in such a hopeful tone.

For on that day, those who seem powerful now will be shown to be frauds and those who take refuge in the Lord will be vindicated.

For some, yes, it will be a day of terror. But for those who seek justice, it will be that long-awaited moment when every wrong will be made right.

That should give us hope.

Here is a short prayer to help you invite God into every moment of your day:

Inhale: God,
Exhale: You sit enthroned forever.