Psalm 82 returns to the theme of God's justice. And, whereas in Psalm 80, we hear God speaking and promising his justice, Psalm 82 is a cry for God's justice to come. And in that cry is this genius definition of what justice actually is. Let me read for you:
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
"How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Now, there's a contrast here between the unjust human judges who don't care about the weak, who don't care about the fatherless, who don't care about the needy, who only care about themselves, and the perfect, tender-hearted, justice of the Lord. And there are three categories of people who need this justice.
First, the weak, those are those who are unable to defend themselves, their own cause. The needy are those who are not able to provide for themselves. And the fatherless are those who are without parental protection.
And so, think about this. The weak need defense, the needy need provision, and the fatherless need protection. And in those three words, you get a definition of what justice does: justice defends, justice provides, and justice protects.
Now think about this: isn't it wonderful, that sitting on the throne of the universe is a God who is my defense, he is my provision, he is my protection. And I can run to him, knowing that he cares about my cause. He cares about my weakness. He cares about my need. He cares about my aloneness and my alienation. He cares, he cares, he cares!
Psalm 82 moves between this lament of the brokenness of human justice and confidence in the justice of the Lord. God, in his sovereign power and glory, is the only one who can guarantee my defense. He's the only one that can guarantee my provision. He's the only one that can guarantee my protection.
I think there are a couple places we need to go with this. If you understand God's justice, then you understand why Jesus had to come. Because God, in justice, is going to right the wrongs of sin--how sin leaves us weak, needy, and fatherless. And Jesus died so we get adopted in the ultimate family and have the fathering care of the great and ultimate perfect judge. A cry for justice is a cry for Jesus.
But there's another place where this Psalm leads us. If God cares about the weak, if God cares about the needy, if God cares about the fatherless, shouldn't we? Perhaps we need to understand that God, right here, right now, makes his invisible justice visible by sending people of justice to bring justice to people who need justice. Where are the weak ones in your life? Where are the needy in your life? Where the fatherless? Are you willing to be God's tool of justice?
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. As you take a moment to reflect on your life, in what areas would you say that you are weak, needy, and/or fatherless? How have you been unable to defend yourself? In what ways have you been without the ability to provide for yourself? Where have you felt vulnerable and without protection? Have you ever considered yourself to be a person who needs the perfect, tender-hearted justice of the Lord? Why or why not?
2. In what ways have you felt the freedom to run to the Lord, knowing that he cares about your cause, your weakness, your need, and your alienation? What has prevented you from running to God in the past? What prevents you from running to him now? As you think about your future, what might potentially get in the way of you running to him in your time of need, weakness, loneliness, or desire for help?
3. As you think about God's defense, provision, and protection, why is his guarantee of those things so important...in other words, what makes God's guarantee so weighty? How can we trust in that guarantee? Why is a cry for justice essentially a cry for Jesus?
4. How can you be a physical representation of God's defense, provision, and protection in this world? Where might God be calling you to be that visible representation of him in your circle of influence? Take a few moments right now and pray. Ask God to help you see where you can care for the weak, needy, and fatherless. And if you're currently hesitant about it, ask God to help you become willing to be his tool of justice wherever he's placed you.
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• Can you remember a time when you were treated unfairly before...maybe while playing with someone, or at school, or during a game, etc.? How did you feel when you were treated unfairly? Did you wish someone else (like a grown up) could've been there to step in and stick up for you when it happened?
• When we're unable to care for ourselves, defend ourselves, or protect ourselves, what do you think we need at those hard times? Do you think grown ups also find themselves in need of defense or care or protection? Who do you think can help them in those times?
• How do you think God provides for us when we are in need (if we're a kid or a grown up)? What is the best and greatest way that he has provided for us? Why is being in need of God a good thing, not a bad thing?
• If God provides for us, how can we bless other people around us in a way that shows off his love and care for them too?
For Older Children:
• Think about a time when you were treated unfairly by a friend, teacher, family member, or even me. What were some of your thoughts and feelings when that happened? Did you ever feel like you wanted someone to stick up for you in that situation when you couldn't defend yourself?
• Do you ever think of me as someone who also needs someone to stick up for me when I'm not being treated fairly in this world? Why or why not?
• What are some tangible ways that God provides for us when we're in need? Ultimately, what is the greatest way that God has provided for us in our neediness? Culturally, why do you think being in need is often seen as a bad thing? Spiritually speaking, why is being in need a good thing, not a bad thing?
• If God provides for us, how can we bless other people around us in a way that shows off his love and care for them too? How can our care for others in this world be a physical representation of Jesus to them? Together, let's brainstorm some ways that we can do that for others and come up with a plan to follow through with caring for those we see who are in need.
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