THERE ARE TIMES when a thirst for justice makes its presence known to us viscerally. A gut-level sense of injustice overpowers the lethargy of the intellect, and like a torrential river breaking through its banks during the storm season, floods into our consciousness. We see the abuses, and think “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” (Jer. 22:13)
The desire for a way to right wrongs, to comfort victims, to see prejudice neutralized, compels us. “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Lev. 19:15) Perhaps to our own dishonor, the impulse to see the guilty punished enthrones itself uppermost in our minds.
What are we to do when the size and scope of the injustice is immeasurable? So it is in our times. But the injustices permeating the world culture in which we live now have roots deeply embedded in human history. The poisonous fruit that has come from this bitter root have come to season in every epoch before, and we are as powerless to resolve these issues as all the generations before us. The rule of law is not enough to maintain civil boundaries when widespread passions ignite fury, when wars break out, and the perpetration of genocides begins. The underlying, seemingly unsolvable issue, is the human heart. It is a universal condition, says scripture, “that every inclination of the thoughts of man’s heart is only evil all the time.” (Gen. 6:5)
Perhaps these were the thoughts of the Psalmist as he pondered his own way forward through some apparently irresolvable personal issues. “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psa. 73:2-3) He ultimately comes to the realization that, as much is the solution is beyond him, it is not beyond God. “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (Psa. 73:16-17)
We have these same thoughts. The weight of the iniquity of the world presses down so hard! Everywhere we look, the evidence of the fruit of the root of bitterness stares back at us with sullen and unrepentant eyes. These would, if it became possible, quickly and gleefully draw our blood, metaphorically or even literally. Our hearts cry out for God to do something, for his “justice to roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24) We must remind ourselves, though we sigh, of God’s patience. Peter gently encourages. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends; With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:8-9)
In the dark times, we comfort ourselves with the promises of God. “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Isa. 50:10) And, may we ask for forgiveness in the hardening of our own hearts, our desire for justice sometimes overwhelming the conscience of the Spirit, as we find comfort in thoughts of retribution. “Their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their vine is the vine of the serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.” God reminds us, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” (Deut. 32:35)
And so we prudently turn our thoughts away from such poison, for it is toxic to all who come in contact with it, and will have its way in us if we let it. Instead, we fix our eyes on the faithfulness of God, and find not just solace and comfort, but joy in the words of his prophets. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psa. 1:1-3)
Q. Are the scales of justice rightly balanced in my discerning Spirit?
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