Making Things Right

            Do you believe that one day God will “make all things right”? Day after day we see injustice all around us. Some of it brings us to tears because it just seems so unfair. One of God’s attributes is that He is just. In many of the psalms are appeals to God to act on behalf of those in need: of those who are suffering at the hands of others. The cry goes out to Him with the hope that He will make things right. The way that evil seems to prosper makes some people wonder if there even is a God. People wait years and years for justice that never seems to come. And the longing of the child of God who is a victim of such injustice… is for God to intervene in his/her helplessness. But how long is too long to wait?

            Last week an envelope addressed to me from the District Attorney’s office in Ellsworth was delivered to the church building. As I looked at it I became very curious why I would be receiving anything from the DA’s office. As far as I knew, I wasn’t in trouble for anything. When I opened the letter I received quite a surprise. Inside it was a letter and a check made out to the church for $450. What in the world was this all about? Why should we be receiving such a letter and check? Well, early in 2002 the church became a victim of theft by deception and we were defrauded out of some money that we though was buying us “advertising” space on a display at Hannaford. It was all a hoax. The person responsible was tried, found guilty, and sentenced many years ago, and I had long forgotten about it, and never held out much hope that the church would ever receive any restitution. And now, almost 12 years later, a form of justice was served. The attempt was made to “make things right.” I’m glad for the church to receive this check, unexpected as it was.

            Twelve years seems like a long time, but it’s nothing compared to the wait of others for some injustice to be made right. Our hope and our confidence is that God, who is sovereign and all-knowing, will make all things right. It may be that there are some kinds of justice that will never be served in this life. Some situations will never be resolved or reconciled until eternity. But we serve and know the God of Abraham, who asked (rhetorically, knowing the answer to be “Yes”), “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

            We may have confidence in God to do what is right in His time and in exactly the right way. This is one of the foundations of hope in our lives. We may be helpless, but God is not. We may want “immediate results” from God, but He sees the whole picture and He will not let one molecule of injustice prevail. While we wait in hope, faith gives us assurance that God does all things well, and He will not miss anything. This does not produce feelings of glee in us. We are not bent on revenge such that we take joy in someone’s punishment or judgment. But we do trust the Judge of all the earth to do right. And in that trust we can find peace when we are a victim of any injustice and when we question the profusion of evil in our world. The Scriptures help us.

Psalm 94:1-11 (NIV) ¹  O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. ²  Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. ³  How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant? ⁴  They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting. ⁵  They crush your people, O LORD; they oppress your inheritance. ⁶  They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless. ⁷  They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed." ⁸  Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? ⁹  Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? ¹⁰  Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge? ¹¹  The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV) ¹⁷  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV) ¹  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

PRAYER:  Lord, I rest in you. Thank you for peace while the world around me is going haywire. My hope is in you, and I that you that you, the Judge of the earth, will do right. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott