When Justice Is Unjust

Though the mills of God grind slowly yet they grind exceedingly small, though with patience He stands waiting with exactness He grinds all.

William Wadsworth Longfellow

Read

Ecclesiastes 3:16-22. Are these verses comforting or troubling to you? Write down some of your initial thoughts about this section of Scripture.

Think

Everyone experiences injustice. Have you ever been the victim of a hit and run, or in an accident with an uninsured motorist, or a drunk driver? Have you ever been wrongly accused, or know someone who has? Do you ever look around the world at war, disease, death, and poverty and wonder, "Where's the justice?" Does it seem like the rich and powerful always get their way, while the poor struggle through life from paycheck to paycheck, if they even have that?

You are not alone.

Solomon looked around, and in the place of justice was wickedness. Criminals were in the streets while people who were innocent were in prison. It's kind of the same today. And this is a problem, unless God is a part of your worldview. Without an ultimate judge, injustice reigns. But as Solomon points out, no one, not even the rich, escapes death. And it is then that justice is executed, not only on public crimes, but also in the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

So all that's left is to enjoy life, to live it well and pursue true happiness, which we've already established is in thankfulness for and celebration of God's good gifts. We can relax, because we know that all evil will be punished, and all good will be rewarded. And we who are secure in the love of Christ can rest easy, unafraid of death, looking forward to an eternity of life with God.

Pray

Thank God for bringing justice, even if we can't see it right now. Pray for patience to endure injustice without losing your cool. Pray for someone you know or have heard of that is currently experiencing injustice, that they would be secure in God's timing.

Do

Do some research into some of the injustices currently going on in the world. Find out about persecution of Believers, disease and poverty in war-stricken areas, and then support Christian organizations who attempt to bring the hope that Christ gives to people who have no hope.