Peace in Chaos

As far as we would like to think we’ve come, injustice still takes place in every corner of our world. We hear the cries of a black man begging to breathe under the knee of a white officer who is supposed to uphold justice, and it breaks our hearts. We read of people being sold into the sex trade, of people dying of hunger, of people being abused by corrupt governments…where is the justice for all of these? Our tears fall and our souls burn with righteous anger. We cry out, “How long?†(Psalm 13:1; Habakkuk 1:2; Revelation 6:10).

What does the Word of God have to say about all the injustice? God is pretty clear what He thinks: “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and injustice†(Isaiah 61:8). He takes wrongdoing so seriously, He came down and did something about it (John 1:14). He died on the cross to take the penalty for humanity’s sins—including sins of injustice. Then He rose from the grave.

Since He died and rose again, Jesus promises there will be a resurrection of all people; at that time, He will bring justice on those who have not turned to Him for forgiveness from their wickedness (John 5:24-29; Acts 24:15). He promises “He will repay each one according to his works‗either at the cross or on Judgment Day (Romans 2:6). When it seems like the world around us is falling apart, we can remember justice is one of the foundations of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14; 97:2).

Since we serve a God of justice, we shouldn’t be surprised that, throughout the Bible, He calls us to live justly (for example, see Isaiah 1:17 and Jeremiah 22:3). Micah 6:8 summarizes it well: “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.â€

No matter how dark things get, we can cling to the promise that the Lord is with us and will one day judge all wrongdoing. • Savannah Coleman

• What are some injustices you have seen, heard about, or personally experienced?

• We live in a world broken by sin—rebellion against God, who is the definition of good and the source of life. When the cries of injustice reach us, we can sometimes wonder where God is. The good news is, Jesus is with us in our suffering. He died on the cross and rose from the grave to beat sin and death. And, one day, He will make all things new, and He will right all wrongs (Revelation 21:1-5). He is the ultimate just Judge. How can these truths comfort and motivate you as you seek to do justice in Jesus’ name?

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Philippians 4:2-9