Justice

Have you ever walked into a group of unruly people and wondered, “Who’s in charge?” Have you ever considered the broken world and wondered the same thing? Today’s passage reminds us that at the end of the day, God is the Judge who works in his way and his timing.

It is one thing to ask, “Why?” when we go through the inevitable challenges of life. I would argue that the “Why?” question is a natural and normal response from a broken heart. We believe that some amount of explanation would help the pain subside, bring understanding to our exhausted reasoning, and allow us to gain a measure of joy in our circumstances. If we could see how our pain fits into God’s big picture, that would certainly go a long way in the healing process, wouldn’t it? But when we bring accusations against God, we are on a dangerous detour.

For those whom Jesus has rescued, they will pass from death to life (John 5:24). They will be absent from the body, but present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). The choice is clear. Trust Jesus, and live forever in heaven. Reject Jesus, live forever in hell. The just Judge will dispense justice to all.

Just as there is a season for everything, there will be a time when God will make everything right. Paul explains that truth should cause men and women to turn from their wicked ways.

Life on earth is filled with injustice, described by the Scottish poet Robert Burns as “man’s inhumanity to man.” The oppressors come with all the power. The oppressed are left with no leverage, and Solomon repeats for emphasis that they have “no one to comfort them.” There is no denying that this life is unfair.

Justice is the bedrock of a free society. We must fight against all manners of injustice. Scripture clearly states that we must care for the poor and needy, widows, orphans, and the unborn. Justice means honoring life from conception to natural death.

God blesses those who wait for his will and his way to be revealed.

God is God! Sometimes his ways and timing are not completely understood. But even when we might not feel vindicated in real-time, we will eventually because what others mean for evil, God, in His timing, can turn it for good (Gen. 50:20).