Why God's Justice Isn't Blind

S - Ezekiel 14:21-23 (NIV): ""For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments--sword and famine and wild beasts and plague--to kill its men and their animals! Yet there will be some survivors--sons and daughters who will be brought out of it. They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem--every disaster I have brought upon it. You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign LORD."

O - These verses reveal and reflect more than our concept of justice.  We are always making God's justice like ours but they are not the same.  Our justice is about the facts, the debt, the injured party, setting a "right" example and the punitive consequence. God's justice certainly encompasses the facts, the debt, the injured party, right examples and even consequences.  However, his justice in not like ours because his goal in it is not balancing a scale but bringing people near to himself.  As he told Ezekiel "I have done nothing without cause." The consolation of God's justice is not that it (i.e. justice) has been served but rather that we have.  God's justice is all about heart correctives unto real life; a justice where mercy triumphs over judgment. He really is purposeful in everything he causes and in everything he allows.  His purpose in all issues of judgment is mercy unto reconciliation and the life that is really life … vibrant, refreshing, irrepressible, eternal! 

A - The truth is I am quick to need and want the mercy which triumphs over judgment and I am often slow/recalcitrant to offer the same to those who have deeply hurt me.  One of the dynamics which retards my response is my human concept of justice and scales, of fairness and debts.  Fortunately, Jesus is not offended at my stagger and he specifically instructs me to help me gain the needed momentum toward mercy.  Steve, give the way you've received.  Steve, lose your life so I can find it.  Steve, forgive the way you've been forgiven.  This is beautiful because it takes the focus off of my offended state and puts it on the One whom I love and who has loved me first, most and who refuses to change his mind; the one who really is slow to anger and quick to forgive … 70 times 7.  The beauty continues because rather than feeling denied my rights I end up liberated from them unto a consolation and courage the scales of justice cannot produce or even measure.  Today, I get to live this out loud with Jesus unto all.

P - God who sees,

Thank you for your pristine justice which serves my very little and very flawed life unto the joy of relationship with you and with all others.  Thank you for always forgiving me and for insisting that I do the same.  Thank you for the joy of forgiveness given and the freedom it brings.  Thank you for always wanting us at our worst (not just at our best) and for bringing us and keeping us near. Lord, today I want to be like you … slow to anger and quick to forgive, not counting other's sins against them.  Today I want to love you back, make you glad and be a reason someone else might believe.

Steve