Questioning God’s Justice

As imperfect humans, we sometimes find ourselves questioning God’s justice on the wicked or someone we think is undeserving. We see someone that we think is evil, prosper in life while we struggle through.   We may be bombarded with troubles and trials while others seem to skate through life.  I myself am guilty of these thoughts.  Sometimes I think, “God, I try so hard to be the best person I can be and to help others.  I work hard and earn an honest living.  Why do I get knocked down when I see so-in-so, who does this, this, and that wrong have such an easy life?”.

In Jeremiah 12:1, Jeremiah questions the Lord’s justice against the wicked.   Jeremiah knew that God’s justice would ultimately come, but he was impatient because he wanted justice to come quickly.  God did not respond with a doctrinal answer; instead he gave a challenge: if Jeremiah could not handle this, how would he handle the injustices ahead?  We all demand fairness, but think about how things would be if God gave us what we truly deserved.

Jeremiah was not the only one in the Bible to question God.  Job also cried out to God about injustice and the prophet Habakkuk received a message about evil deeds and violence in a vision. (Job 21:4-34 & Habakkuk 1:1-4)  Ultimately, we must realize that God is doing right, even when we do not understand why he works as he does.  When circumstances arise and we face storms in life, it’s easy to think God has forgotten us.  But remember, God is in control.  God has a plan and will judge evildoers in his time.  If we are truly humble, we will be willing to accept God’s answers and await his timing.  We must be committed to God even when our prayers are not immediately answered. 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.  After writing it I thought, “How did I even get on this subject of injustice?”.  I finally remembered opening my trusty YouVersion Bible app on my iPad and BOOM, there it was, Jeremiah 12!  I hope God spoke to you  through this post as he did to me.  We must never forget the HE is in control. 🙂

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalms 62:5-8

Make A Change This Christmas

When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for Christmas to arrive every year.  Not only did I look forward to the snow, or what little we got in North Carolina, but also the stuff I would be getting!!!  Deep down I knew the real meaning of Christmas, but darn it, I just wanted presents!  I can remember all of those sleepless Christmas Eve nights laying in bed wondering if Santa was going to bring me what I asked for.  After what seemed like an eternity, everyone would wake up, my dad would read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20, and finally we would open presents.   After about two weeks the newness would wear off and the waiting game for next Christmas would start.

As I have grown up, something strange has happened.  I can no longer think of things I “need” for Christmas.  I look forward to spending time with family and hearing my dad read the Christmas story more than receiving gifts!  Call me crazy!  Over the years I have found that giving brings so much more joy than any gift I could receive. Let’s face it, most of us don’t “need” anything.  We already have the most precious gift we could ever receive.  We celebrate His birthday every December 25th and His resurrection every Easter.  His name is Jesus.  He gave everything by dieing on the cross for our sins and continues to give today  by giving us eternal life if we choose to accept and follow Him.  Jesus was and is the ultimate example of love and compassion.

This Christmas I challenge you to make a change not only in your life, but in the lives of those in need.  I guarantee the joy you will experience by giving will be life changing not only for you, but for the person receiving.   Just think how amazing it would be for a family to come together and donate to provide drinking water, medical supplies, clothing, etc to people in need or pack Operation Christmas Child boxes to send to children around the world!  Donating doesn’t always have to be monetary either!  You or your family could volunteer your time at a local organization!  I know in the past I have not been so giving, but there’s always time to change!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post!  I pray that you and your family have a blessed Christmas! 🙂

If you would like more information on how you can help, I would recommend visiting Samaritans Purse.  I know there are many organizations out there, but Samaritans Purse is the one I am most familiar with.

Their website is:  www.samaritanspurse.org

Matthew 25:35-40 NIV

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’