The truth is that injustice is a reality in this world. Leaders often make unjust laws. Judges often issue unjust decisions. Crooked deals are made in political chambers and courtrooms alike. The hands of leaders are too often filled with violence, not justice. The sad truth is that this is the case not only in the civil sphere but also in the church. The church is not beyond the influence of unjust politics or self-serving injustice. Injustice is a reality.
Injustice, like all sin, is not a superficial problem of a few wrong decisions here and there. Injustice, like all sin, is systemic in nature. It is the fruit of fallen human nature. Injustice is rooted in the human heart when that heart is still in the womb (see 51:5). It only takes the right conditions for the seeds of injustice in our own hearts to produce that hideous fruit. So while we are grieved at injustice in the world, we are not surprised . . .
Injustice will be avenged one day, not by us as humans but by God himself . . . On that day we will experience in fullness the truth that it does pay to live for God because God is the just judge of all the earth.
This day of ultimate judgment still lies in the future (Rev. 20:11-15). Until this day comes, the unjust can repent and find mercy and grace to experience the forgiveness of their sin. The delay of God’s justice demonstrates his kindness, tolerance, and patience, which are intended to lead the unjust to repentance.
As those who have repented and experienced the love of God in Christ, we now live to see justice established in this world to the degree that it is possible. We begin by rooting injustice out of our own hearts, homes, and churches, so that we will be fair and compassionate in all our dealings, even as our Father in heaven is fair and compassionate.
—Comments on Psalm 58:1-5 by Mark D. Futato, The Book of Psalms in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, 7:201-202.
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