He had worked for the company for the better part of a decade. Although he was a just a junior partner, his technical expertise and networking abilities had been instrumental in making his company the leader in its field. The company was going for an IPO. He was about to reap the fruits of many years of hard work and sacrifice. Instead he found himself out of a job. He had been manoeuvred out. “I no longer have my car and driver,” he said, painful reminders of his betrayal.
I have known this brother for some time. As I listened to his tale I was overwhelmed by a sense of anger at the injustice he had suffered. I was reminded yet again that living in a fallen world, Christians are not spared the wounds of sin. I had just finished a lecture on grief earlier in the week. I could only guess at the shock, pain, and anger he was feeling in response to his many unfair losses. What is a Christian to do under such circumstances?
For a start he or she can seek whatever redress is available under the law. After all the civil authorities have been put into place by God to punish evil (Romans 13:1-5).
However, there needs to be a spiritual response as well. When one is gripped by anger, one needs to remember that our God is one who says:
“I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it.” Romans 12: 19 (NLT)
Our God is not blind to injustice. He will deal with it. He calls us to trust in Him.
We are also to trust Him as the author and finisher of our life. If anyone deserves to be the poster boy of victims of injustice, it has got to be Joseph (Genesis Chs. 37-50). Sold by his brothers, framed by a spurned woman, forgotten by people who promised to help him—he had tasted it all.
Yet at the end of his life, in response to his brothers’ confession, he could say:
“Don’t be afraid of me. Am I god to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:19,20 (NLT)
It boils down to this. Do you really believe that God is real? Do you believe He is sovereign? Do you believe He is working out His will in your life? If the answer is yes then we can believe that He is authoring our life story. And yes there will be some tough chapters. But there will be a happy ending. And at the end you will see that the painful chapters were so integral to the whole plot.
When we embrace afresh the reality of God at times when we have been shafted we will find the strength to move on. To forgive.
I am confident my friend will find the strength to move. I am confident because my friend has known God for a long time.