God is Just
Deuteronomy 32:4 - "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he" (NIV).
Isaiah 42:1-4 - “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope" (NIV).
Isaiah 58:6 - “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke" (NIV)?
Isaiah 61:8 - “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them" (NIV).
Psalm 9:16 - "The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands" (NIV).
God is fair. He always does what is right and just. Because of our limited view, we cannot see all of the issues at play in a given situation. But, God can. We can trust in his desire and ability to bring justice on the earth. Throughout Scripture, we see God's heart for the poor and defenceless (Psa. 68:6; Isa. 61:1-3; James 1:27). He does not turn away in the face of the great injustice that we see on earth. However, God does not immediately intervene in every situation. He chooses to work through His people. God calls the church to work for justice, to care for the poor, the hungry and the prisoner (Matt. 25:31-46). In fact, we will be judged by the justice we show or don't show to others while on the earth. Justice matters to God!
The ultimate display of God's justice is in the reality of hell. This is not a fictitious, storybook land. It is the real end for those who consistently reject the relationship with the Father through Jesus (Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15). It is with no delight that the Father sends His beloved creation into hell. It is with unimaginable grief that He acknowledges His child's real choice to rebel against His love. His arms are held open wide as He reveals His character over and over to a rebellious people (Rom. 1:18-20). "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:12-13).
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (NIV).
Isaiah 42:1-4 - “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope" (NIV).
Isaiah 58:6 - “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke" (NIV)?
Isaiah 61:8 - “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them" (NIV).
Psalm 9:16 - "The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands" (NIV).
God is fair. He always does what is right and just. Because of our limited view, we cannot see all of the issues at play in a given situation. But, God can. We can trust in his desire and ability to bring justice on the earth. Throughout Scripture, we see God's heart for the poor and defenceless (Psa. 68:6; Isa. 61:1-3; James 1:27). He does not turn away in the face of the great injustice that we see on earth. However, God does not immediately intervene in every situation. He chooses to work through His people. God calls the church to work for justice, to care for the poor, the hungry and the prisoner (Matt. 25:31-46). In fact, we will be judged by the justice we show or don't show to others while on the earth. Justice matters to God!
The ultimate display of God's justice is in the reality of hell. This is not a fictitious, storybook land. It is the real end for those who consistently reject the relationship with the Father through Jesus (Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15). It is with no delight that the Father sends His beloved creation into hell. It is with unimaginable grief that He acknowledges His child's real choice to rebel against His love. His arms are held open wide as He reveals His character over and over to a rebellious people (Rom. 1:18-20). "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:12-13).
For More Study
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20
- Psalm 9
- Isaiah 58, 61
- Luke 18:1-8
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Have you ever wondered if God's ways are fair? In what situations are you most likely to question His justice?
- As you look at world news right now, what situations are in great need of God's justice?
- We are called work for justice in our intercession (Luke 18:1-8) and our practical acts of service (1 John 3:16-20). Take a moment to ask God where He wants you to get involved.
Memorization
Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (NIV).
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