Waiting on Justice – November 17, 2022

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:6,7

Waiting on Justice

“Life isn’t fair” might be one of the hardest lessons we learn in this life. We learn it early when we get recess taken away at school for something someone else did. We keep learning it into adulthood when someone receives the recognition, attention, or promotion we deserve. We learn it over and over again as life finds new ways to show us how unfair it can be.

Unfairness can be especially egregious when it is something very personal. When someone hurts us and gets away with it, when they succeed at our expense, or profit at our loss, all feel particularly terrible.

So what is God going to do about it? A better question might be, what has God done about it? You see, two thousand years ago, God became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. He suffered the greatest injustice ever endured when he was nailed to a cross and suffered the punishment for the sins of all people. Because he was willing to endure what we deserve, all who trust in him will receive the forgiveness and eternal life no sinner deserves.

And there’s more. In today’s Bible passage, God’s people are promised that when Jesus returns, he will give relief to those who have been hurt and punish those who have opposed his people. He will restore and make right the things that have been wrong. His coming judgment will be a judgment that brings restoration. What has been unfairly taken away will be restored. What has been hurt will be healed.

So when life seems unfair, when injustices surround you, trust that God will bring relief. With his almighty power he will strengthen you, deliver you, and bring you to his protecting arms.

Prayer:
Almighty King, grant me peace as I live a life in a world full of injustice. Give me confidence in the restoration that you will provide. Amen.