Sometimes life just seems so unfair, that those who commit evil deeds go unpunished. Where is the justice in that?! In today's writing, "JUSTICE," we explore this issue and how we can take a new perspective regarding what is deserved and by whom.
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"JUSTICE"
by
Jan Andersen
Every day evil things occur in this world. You can turn on the T.V. and hear news reports of robbers, racketeers, rapists and the like. The radio blares out the most recent crime statistics. Standing outside visiting, you can hear of the latest neighborhood crime spree from friends and neighbors. It is most saddening when you hear of the innocent victims of senseless crimes, whether they be children, animals or the elderly. This world is full of sinful people acting out their evil desires.
Sometimes it is too much to bear when we hear of these evil acts with seemingly no retribution. The law enforcement agencies can never cover enough territory to be everywhere at once. There are people who get away with crimes such as vandalism, burglary, and murder. Even when they are caught, our justice system doesn't always seem "just." Sometimes what seems to us to be important for the jury to know is not allowed to be brought up in court. Or the punishment meted out doesn't seem adequate to pay for the crime committed. Then there is our all-powerful God who seems to not care enough to put a stop to it all. We want God to stop them or even punish them, sometimes wishing they would suffer as much or more than their victims. How can a loving and merciful God sit idly by, watching these despicable acts against his creation and especially his believers and do nothing? Those who are innocent cry out, “That is so unjust!”
Habakkuk and others complained about this very thing in the Bible:
Habakkuk 1:2-4, 13 NIV How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted... Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
What we do know is that God is loving and merciful but also faithful and just. While God does not cause evil things to happen, He may allow them to happen and then use them for his glory. Our world is a sinful place, and Satan is alive and well, causing evil things to happen. Every human being is sinful and some commit acts that in our human view are more horrible than others. However, in God's eyes, all sins are equal in that they separate us from Him. Thankfully, He does not strike us all dead or damn us to hell for sinning, but rather He forgives us and offers us the free gift of salvation through faith in Christ, Jesus. We have to simply trust in God and his perfect wisdom in how He handles things that occur on earth. We can only see people’s visible actions. We cannot see inside a person's heart. Those who reject God's grace and do not have faith at the time of their death will have to deal with God's justice in the afterlife. Only God can rightly judge a person’s heart and soul.
Thankfully, God doesn’t give us what we all deserve - eternal death. Graciously, He provided the “just" payment for our sins by allowing the most wicked act in history, the torture and crucifixion of his sinless Son in our place, buying our salvation. That was so unjust! But Jesus rose again and is preparing a place for believers in heaven. Thank you for your loving justice!
Psalm 33:4-5 NIV The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Thank you God for your loving justice in providing us the free gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of your Son. Help us to be as forgiving with others who wrong us. May we release our resentments toward others and leave the justice to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Song:
YOUR LOVE OH LORD (Psalm 36)
Third Day
(in particular the lyrics that say: Your justice flows like the ocean's tide)
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries
Blog writers:
Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,
Bre Miller, Lynda Kinnard, Amie Spruiell,
Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,
Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa
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