Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Rejoicing over Justice (1/22/26)

Often it seems evil prevails and justice is far off. Yet, God will bring about complete justice in His time and we are to rejoice in it. He is gracious to give people plenty of opportunities to repent for their evil ways and turn to Him before He brings His final judgment.

As the destruction of Babylon the Great continues, various groups lament her downfall. Merchants and sea captains weep over the loss of their wealth, which was gained through her. Last week, we discussed the opportunity the onlookers had to repent of their own evil ways before destruction came to them. However, they continue to wallow in their distress instead of repenting.

Revelation 18:15-20 ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn ¹⁶ and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
    and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
¹⁷ In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. ¹⁸ When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ ¹⁹ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    where all who had ships on the sea
    became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

²⁰ “Rejoice over her, you heavens!
    Rejoice, you people of God!
    Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
    with the judgment she imposed on you.”

In response to Babylon’s destruction, I think there are only two correct reactions: repentance or rejoicing. The onlookers need to repent while the people of God are commanded to rejoice at the destruction of Babylon the Great.

God is patient. God is loving. God is gracious. God is also just. He will right all wrongs one day and we can rejoice in His perfect, holy, and righteous judgment. He is the only One who can administer correct vengeance and accurately avenge. We aren’t to take revenge, as Paul says in Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.        

Reflecting on our lives, when have you and I taken vengeance into our own hands rather than leaving it to God? What were the consequences? What injustice do you and I need to surrender to God and wait on His timing to bring about justice? In heaven, we will be able to rejoice in Jesus’s victory and His perfect judgment!