from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for Tue 08/18/2026

... What appears unresolved today remains completely within the sight and righteous judgment of God.

Jeremiah 12:1 NKJV (devotion translation)

Jeremiah’s question arose from painful circumstances. He had faithfully proclaimed God’s Word, yet people from his own hometown opposed him and plotted against his life. He knew that God was righteous, but he struggled to understand why those who rejected God seemed to prosper while he suffered for being faithful.

Scripture does not pretend that life in a fallen world will always appear fair. The righteous and unrighteous live together, and both experience circumstances that can seem difficult to reconcile with God’s justice. Our mistake is assuming that what we see presently represents God’s final judgment.

Jeremiah brought his questions to the Lord, and that is where our questions belong. God did not explain every detail to him. Instead, He called Jeremiah to greater endurance and continued faithfulness. The difficulties Jeremiah faced were not evidence that God had abandoned him. God was still at work, strengthening His servant for what lay ahead.

We must also resist comparing our circumstances with those of others. When we measure our lives horizontally, we can easily become proud when things are going well or resentful when someone else appears to have an easier path. Our calling is not to determine whether another person has received what we think they deserve. Our responsibility is to walk faithfully before the Lord.

God sees every injustice. Nothing escapes His notice, and no one ultimately escapes His righteous judgment. Yet believers should remember that we also stand only because of His mercy. At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment our sins deserved so that those who trust in Him might receive grace rather than condemnation.

Life may present questions we cannot answer, but God’s character does not change. When circumstances seem unjust, fix your heart on the righteous God who sees completely, judges perfectly, and holds His people securely.

Lord, keep me from judging Your goodness by circumstances I do not understand. Help me trust Your justice, rest in Your mercy, and remain faithful to Christ while I wait upon You. Amen.

• Psalms 73:16-17 ↗ - An Eternal Perspective - Asaph struggles with the prosperity of the wicked until he gains an eternal perspective in God’s presence.
• Habakkuk 2:4 ↗ - When God’s purposes are difficult to understand, His people are called to live by faith rather than by what they see.
• Romans 12:19 ↗ - Leave vengeance and final judgment to God, trusting that He will make all things right.
• 1 Peter 5:6-7 ↗ - Bring your burdens and questions to God, trusting His care for you.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5 ↗ - Do not judge prematurely; the Lord will ultimately bring hidden things to light and reveal the true motives of every heart.
• Romans 8:28 ↗ - Even when circumstances seem unjust or confusing, God remains at work for the good of those who love Him.