A Time For The Redressing Of Grievances

Brass Scales Of Justice Off Balance, Symbolizing Injustice, Over WhiteYesterday Kermit Gosnell was found guilty on three of the four charges of baby murder. Much rejoicing was seen on social media and some not so Christlike comments followed on. While I understand the desire for vengeance, no one fights this urge greater than me, we must remember that we have a God of justice even when injustice seems to rule the land. Solomon reminds us:

    “Moreover I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.’” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)

God has warned us in His Word about injustice. Many times we read in the Old Testament God’s warning to Israel to seek justice and repent of their sin. The Lord used a farmer named Amos to prophesy to Israel and call them to repentance:

    “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: ‘Seek Me and live; but do not seek Bethel, nor enter Gilgal, nor pass over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing. Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, with no one to quench it in Bethel—you who turn justice to wormwood, and lay righteousness to rest in the earth!’” (Amos 5:4-7)

My great challenge is to trust God to bring His righteous judgment upon sin. That knowledge should make me seek Him and live a life of no regrets. My desire in life should be to see God glorified and righteousness reign. I should desire this because God’s wrath will be poured out on unrighteousness:

    “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18)

Can we be satisfied with knowing that God will judge all ungodliness and unrighteousness? If a criminal goes free on a technicality or let’s imagine Kermit Gosnell not receiving the death penalty for his heinous crimes, can we be satisfied knowing that final judgment rests with God Almighty? Matthew Henry reminds us that we can:

    “Without the fear of the Lord, man is but vanity; set that fear aside, and judges will not use their power well. And there is another Judge that stands before the door. With God there is a time for the redressing of grievances, though as yet we see it not.”

That is our great challenge; to trust that God will redress grievances even though we may not see it; at least not here on earth.

I was overcome this morning with the sense of duty to pray for Kermit Gosnell’s soul. Even though I can rejoice in the knowledge that Hell exists to judge unrighteousness, I should never wish it for any soul. Christ’s admonition for me to love and pray for an enemy such as a baby murderer is a difficult matter for me.

I must rest in the grace of Christ to obey His commands and trust in the hope of our Righteous Judge that righteousness will prevail.

My hope for mankind must always rest in Jesus Christ.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2013 David Jeffers

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