This is a hard time for those who value justice.
There are so many bodies on the road to Jericho you just feel like crossing to the other side of the road . It gets so tiring. Whether it is the latest numbers from Ambon, or the plight of innocent hostages all over the world, or perversions of justice much closer to home – it seems that everyday brings new burdens for those who try see the world through God’s eyes, and who try to feel the world through God’s heart.
Sometimes you wonder if more radical measures are called for. Most of the time you just feel helpless. And frustration is a good incubator for cynicism and apathy.Meanwhile what is God doing? He is laughing.
1. It is crazy to think that humankind can thwart the purposes of God.
Psalm 2:1-4 reads:
Why do the nations rage?
Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his holy one.
Let us break their chains, they cry, and free ourselves from this slavery.
But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them. (NLT)
God weeps over the brokenness of mankind. But He laughs at the ludicrous idea that humankind can actually oppose Him and His purposes. Those who pervert justice with the power of the gun, or by abusing the institutions of the day, may feel powerful. But their very breaths are on loan from God. Indeed Psalm 2 goes on to warn that if these perverters of justice do not repent, a terrible reckoning will come upon them.
Pharaoh, in the book of Exodus, found this out the hard way. He commanded the mightiest army of the world of his day. He thought he could take on God. God didn’t even work up a sweat when He showed Pharaoh who was boss at the Red Sea. Evil may appear to triumph for a time. But God cannot be defeated.
2. Because God cannot be defeated, God’s people can continue to be faithful.
Because God is in control God’s people can avoid both anarchy and apathy. But we cannot avoid the call to be faithful witnesses at this time in history. Some of us may be called to be like John the Baptist,
publicly denouncing evil. Many of us will be like Esther, recognizing our limited political clout, yet waiting for strategic moments when we can act decisively for God and His purposes .
Both ways have their own risks. Both ways require that we be attendant to the voice of God, watching daily for the burning bushes of our call to action. We may be living in confusing times. But there is no confusion about the fact that the Christian life is to be marked by sacrificial obedience and not by selfish self preservation.
How are you feeling today? A bit overwhelmed by it all? Angry? Tired? Hear again the laughter of God. Know afresh His absolute sovereignty and His complete control of history. Rest in these precious truths.Then watch out for burning bushes. What would God have you do this day?