“The Lord judges the peoples;
judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness
and according to the integrity that is in me.
Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,
O righteous God!
My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.”
—Psalm 7:8-11 ESV

In these verses, David asks God to “let the evil of the wicked come to an end.”

Now, the concept of judgment is another touchy subject that can conjure images of self-righteous people who attack others’ faults.

But that is not at all what God’s judgment is about.

It is about making things right. About restoring justice where it has been twisted.

In a world where many show an image of “goodness” while exploiting others and committing injustice, we can take solace in the fact that God sees past the surface and into the “minds and hearts” of people.

To those who have taken refuge in God and made him their “shield,” this is wonderful news.

To those who pervert justice and oppress the most vulnerable, this is terrifying.

Whatever the case, the consolation is this: God is a righteous judge.

We can trust his judgments.

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

Inhale: God,
Exhale: You are my shield.