HOPE IN GOD’S JUSTICE

“He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has ESTABLISHED JUSTICE in the earth…” – Isaiah 42:4a

In addition to His Faithfulness and Compassion, Believers must learn to HOPE IN GOD’S JUSTICE: “He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has ESTABLISHED JUSTICE in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law” (Isa.42:4). Isaiah 42 speaks of the Emissary of Justice but did not explicitly reveal who it was: “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; HE WILL BRING JUSTICE to the Gentiles” (v.1). Matthew 12: 15-21 reveals Jesus as the One who brings and establishes Justice in the earth. Here, we see a link between Jesus having the Spirit of God upon Himself and bringing Justice! What this says is that in the midst of an extremely unjust and unfair world, we who possess and are possessed by the Holy Spirit should be Emissaries of Justice!

Justice refers to Equity, Fairness, and Rightness. Biblically, seeking justice is synonymous with peace-making. The state of total Justice – in which everything in life goes the way that God intends – is called SHALOM! God’s Justice is sacrificial and redemptive, not just punitive. Justice means dying to “just us” so that everyone may live more fully. God takes Justice very seriously. He declared that the Messiah’s purpose on earth is to usher in and establish justice – and that He will not fail, be discouraged, or give up until that Mission is accomplished. This should give Hope to everyone who has experienced or is experiencing injustice and oppression in this world! The Messiah – Jesus Christ, the Son of God – came to conquer the power of sin, brought forgiveness of sins and new life, and will establish Justice on earth!

The world is full of Injustice. Life on this side of eternity is often unfair. There is no shortage of needs in the world. It can be discouraging and overwhelming to consider how much injustice seems to prevail. Yet we cannot let that stop us from taking steps to join in God’s mission. In Christ, we have the Hope of Justice! Seeking Justice is actually central to understanding Jesus. In His teaching and healing work, Jesus ministered to the sick, the poor, foreigners, and outcasts. He overturned unjust social structures – between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, and the healthy and the sick. In following Christ, we are Ambassadors of God’s mission in this world.

Jesus demonstrated the divine demand prophesied in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?.”  The followers of Jesus did the same. History records that Roman rulers observed Chris­tians feeding the hungry and caring for the sick during epidemics, and declared, “See how they love one another!” This has historically been the ministry of the Church. Through the centuries, communities of Jesus’ followers built schools and hospitals, abolished slavery, provided health care, reformed criminal-justice systems, and much more. Our mission remains: leading souls to salvation in Him, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, visiting the sick, sustaining the vulnerable – including the fatherless and widows – and encouraging the discouraged.

God brings Justice! We, His people are to point others to the One whom God sent to establish His Justice – Jesus Christ! In following Christ’s example, as Envoys of Justice, we help reveal to the world His mission of fulfilling the Father’s promise. We join in His mission of opening blind eyes and releasing prisoners from the darkness of sin (v.7). Hope is not just about “passive waiting” – Hope is Active! Hope serves humanity. Hope moves us to cherish and seek Justice.

Beyond seeking Justice however, the Psalmist learned to Praise God for His Justice: “Praise to God for His Faithfulness and JUSTICE. Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (Psa.111:1). I ask myself: “How often, if ever, do I praise God for His Faithfulness and Justice”? How about you?