A Heart Crying for Justice and Mercy
A Psalm 35 Reflection
I can’t count how often simply talking about God, who He is and what He has done, in everyday conversations has grown my faith.
Just recently, someone congratulated me:
“You made it! You graduated!”
My response?
“God helped me make it.”
Because the truth is, I didn’t do it alone. Three kids. Work. Ultra marathons. Seminary. It’s been a wild four-year stretch. But God carried us.
Even financially, we’ve been covered in ways that don’t make sense on paper. And whenever I’m tempted to worry about the future, I quietly remind myself:
“God… I remember when You provided. So what’s stopping You from doing it again?”
I have also been praying for justice and mercy for a family member. At the same time, I have been convicted of praying a blessing over the parties who, I believe, are handling it wrong. This season, I have found myself being extra vigilant about repeatedly saying the words, “I trust you”.
That’s the heart posture David models in Psalm 35.
When You’re Falsely Accused
In Psalm 35, David is falsely attacked and betrayed by people he once cared for. He doesn’t hold back in prayer—he asks God for justice in vivid detail.
It’s important to note: David isn’t seeking revenge. He’s not lashing out in bitterness. He’s crying out to the only One who judges rightly.
Verses 9–10: The Turn Toward Praise
Here’s what stood out to me:
“Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation.
My whole being will exclaim, ‘Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.’”
— Psalm 35:9–10
Even before his situation changes, David rejoices. Why? Because he remembers who God is.
This is a prayer soaked in faith:
God sees.
God rescues.
God defends the weak.
What About Mercy?
At first glance, it may feel like David isn’t blessing his enemies.
And to be honest—he’s not.
But here’s the difference:
He’s not taking matters into his own hands. He’s saying,
“God, You see this.
You deal with it.
I trust You.”
That’s the heart of biblical justice: leaving the outcome to a righteous Judge.
As a recovering people-pleaser, I’ve had to learn this the hard way. I used to think praying for protection from fellow Christians or people was wrong. But it’s not. In fact, God taught me something deeper:
You can pray for justice and choose to bless.
You can cry out for truth and walk in mercy.
Tested in the Fire
This truth was tested in a battlefield—literally.
I remember my time fighting ISIS overseas. Every mortar round I called for, every mission we launched, I carried a deep conviction of justice—not revenge, but a cry for the oppressed, the abused, the beheaded, the enslaved.
And yet… God wasn’t done teaching me.
Quickly, God began to press deeper. He reminded me:
“I love them too.”
“I died for them too.”
🛑 Let me pause and say this clearly:
I understand—this is not easy to reconcile.
ISIS is brutally, undeniably evil. Any sane person would say they deserve the harshest earthly punishment. And they do.
But here’s the deeper, haunting truth:
So did I.
So do we.
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23
And in that uncomfortable mercy, I found myself praying… for them.
Not because I had warm feelings. Not because I forgot the pain.
But because mercy—real mercy—turns everything in your flesh upside down.
And so I began to pray in two parts:
For mercy over their souls, the same mercy that rescued mine.
For accuracy and justice, that innocent lives would be protected, and evil would be destroyed.
That’s the tension of the cross. That’s the heart of a Savior who prayed, “Father, forgive them…” with blood dripping down His face.
Justice and Mercy Met at the Cross
This is where Jesus enters the story.
David shows us the justice cry.
Jesus shows us what a mercy-formed heart looks like.
On the cross, justice and mercy collided—fully alive in Christ.
Judgment was real.
Grace was poured out.
Truth wasn’t compromised.
And love held it altogether.
Because I’ve received that mercy through Jesus’ death and resurrection, I now walk in this tension too.
Never Finished Challenge: Declaration, Justice and Blessing
Maybe you’re in a season of betrayal.
Perhaps injustice has infiltrated your home.
Here’s your invitation:
Pray unashamedly for justice.
And in that same breath—bless.
Let your prayer sound like this:
“Father, I lay down every injustice done to me. You see it clearly. You are the Judge.
I ask for Your justice where wrongs need to be made right.
But I also ask for Your mercy, even on those who hurt me.
Make my heart like Yours—strong in righteousness, overflowing in grace. Amen.”
Lastly, spend daily time with Him and learn to make Him a regular part of your conversations—yes, even with unbelievers. Talk about God’s faithfulness in your life and point to Him. If you were ten years old and your dad was Michael Jordan, would you not brag about that to everyone? And would your dad be pleased with you for bragging about Him? Yes and Yes. How much more should we brag about someone who has given us eternal life…
What Does This Say About God?
I’m grateful that I know a God who is perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
Without justice, there’s no restoration.
Without mercy, there’s no healing.
But in Jesus, both are fulfilled—fully + forever.
“Without mercy, justice isn’t truly just.
Without justice, mercy isn’t truly merciful.”
What a King.
What a Judge.
What a Father.
What a Savior.
Thank You, Jesus.
This is powerful. A very thought provoking read!