Tag: Justice

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Is comparison a bad mental game to play?

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:” Psalms‬ ‭39:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David decides to play this game of comparing his life to the life of the unjust, the ungodly. From time to time, in his rise to power and running for his life, he looks around at the wicked and says out loud, “why do they get all the breaks?” “Why do the wicked always win?” In this humorous song, he decides “I’ll just keep my mouth shut and quit complaining and quit comparing my life to theirs.” Ah, but capping or stuffing the thoughts in his head only seemed to boil over and out into a hot mess of fiery words! Geez, the games we play in our head are bound to come leaking out in our words. David thinks, and we think, we can just stop, or steer those words into something useful. But the game of comparison is NOT played out in our words, it’s played in our hearts! And, if we’re going to stop the game from consuming our minds, we have to do so where it starts.

Comparison is a horrible game to play! It’s a devil’s dark game of seeing ourselves better or often worse than someone by guessing at their outcomes. We see someone’s promotion or hear someone’s accolades and seethe. We read of someone’s downfall or failure and we gloat.

When we play this game we always lose. Why? We are only seeing a completely disconnected, parenthetical moment of time. We don’t see the beginning, nor the end. We don’t even see the middle. We just see a glimpse of fame, fortune or promotion on the pedestal and think that represents a whole life. And in that fraction of feelings, we are jealous or proud.

Oh, and if we know or think they are wicked or evil it’s worse in our head because our brains just start firing justice triggers like crazy. We start screaming the same fiery words David did – “evil never deserves a reward!” I appreciate David’s honesty, but I think he should have and we should quit playing the game altogether.

Stop it before it starts. As a believer we should only be looking at our life, our walk, our splinters and gold stars in comparison to Christ and his purpose for our life. When we see others succeed we should be happy for them. When they fall or hurt, we should grieve with them. And when evil seems to triumph through a truly wicked person, we should bring them to God to judge wisely.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Far too often I’ve played this game and I always lose. Someone succeeds, does better than me, or rewarded for my idea – it happens and I have hard time with it. And, for those that are struggling, I find myself thinking, “I’m glad that’s not me…” Ouch. I am so sorry that I get sucked into these. Help me keep my eyes on you and be thankful for everything you’ve done in my life and everything you’ve given me as well. Help me not to compare to others!

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Don’t be like the ancients

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:6-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Here we have Paul giving us a great example of how a well trained, former Pharisee interprets an ancient passage of scripture from Exodus. I read Exodus and see lessons of Old Testament theology and practical advice for living while looking through the lens of Jesus’ saving grace.

Not so much with Paul. Paul tells the church in Corinth – it’s a WARNING. Paul gives the text the same amount of veracity that Moses gave when he wrote it! I see the Old Testament as a little outdated. Paul sees it as current. My sense of context is therefore dulled by a distorted view of grace when I do this with scripture. Paul’s high TRUTH, high LOVE compels him to admonish (warn & encourage) the modern, metropolitan church filled with a city bursting with immoral opportunity to sin!

Paul starts with our commonality with the ancient wanderers (same baptism, same food and water, same God) and writes, “Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” Paul – haven’t you read “what’s so amazing about grace?” Don’t you know that God isn’t mad at us and we live in a very long season of mercy? Oh, Paul knows alright. He wrote much, if not most of the theology on the topic of God’s grace. But it’s never an excuse to sin more! And, Paul never throws shade on God’s holiness, wrath or judgment?

Paul tells the Church, don’t be like the ancients in these areas: partying, feasting and drinking, indulging in pagan revelry. Don’t engage in sexual immorality, don’t TEST Christ [mercy], and don’t grumble. Paul suggests that these human behaviors only INCREASE as the end approaches! God’s grace covers my sin, but will never accommodate my sin!

PRAYER:

Dad,
I am thankful for your word. I am thankful for Pastor Paul who’s words still preach about holiness and godliness. I am thankful for your Holy Spirit to lead away from temptation not towards it, who leads me in confession of sin, not denial of it. I am thankful for your mercy. I am also thankful for your wrath – your pure sense of justice for all wrongs, not just the ones I agree with. I am most thankful for your grace that came at the ultimate price of death of the Son who was completely innocent and perfect.

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Prayer for Ukrainians

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me. They are without pity. Listen to their boasting! They track me down and surround me, watching for the chance to throw me to the ground. They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart— like young lions hiding in ambush.” Psalms‬ ‭17:8-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The whole world’s eyes are on Ukraine right now. And, as followers of Jesus, I think we should all be praying in unity. I don’t know how this works, but I’m praying Psalm 17 over the Ukrainian people.

We’ve ALWAYS had tyrants in our world history. There have always been men, obsessed with power and control and a hunger for more. Men who’s egos needing to be constantly fed. As I try to sort out what, who and why – there is a glaring sad fact no matter my understanding or opinion.

The poor, the mothers and their children always seem to pay the biggest price. We’ve had a decade of Syrians fleeing their homeland because of one man’s thirst for war and annihilation. Now we have another madman and the refuges are pouring out of their homes and land to seek safety and peace.

David writes about what he wants God to do about it with Israel’s enemies. I’d like God to do that to this pompous leader who craves for more. I ask that you “Arise, O Lord! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue [Ukrainians] from the wicked with your sword! By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.” Psalms‬ ‭17:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬. Bring judgment down on the tyrant and bring peace to the innocent. Intervene Oh Lord and rescue those who have no defense from the wicked.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Let your mercy flood the earth. Let your righteousness, your justice prevail to protect those who have lost everything and seek peace. You brought Syrians out of their own country, where they were betrayed by their own people to see the one true God and find Jesus. I ask for similar for Ukrainians who lost all but will find everlasting peace and joy through your salvation. Raise up your mighty hand of judgement on the wicked and with the other hand shield to protect the innocent. In all of this turmoil may your Kingdom come and your will be done. Amen.

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Vengeance is NOT mine and neither is justice

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.” Psalms‬ ‭51:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​David’s recorded repentance is an absolute model of transparency and accountability in a leader’s life. Sure, he had been caught and his judgment had also been recorded and carried out by God and God’s spokesperson, Nathan.

The judgment was quick and severe. You can read about it in 2 Samuel 12. Nathan lays out the charge: “you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.“ Nathan also tells David, “You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” God had told David, I gave you EVERYTHING and if that had not been enough, I would have given you MORE!

David’s sin, quick trial by God himself and his pronounced judgment lays out how God is faithful and just to deal with sin and deal with a leader who thinks they can do anything they want and get away with it. God’s quick justice was a display of his deep love for David and for any future lives David’s unprecedented power would have destroyed.

Here in this psalm is David’s response. David owns his decisions, his sin and receives the judgment understanding what many leaders try to avoid – “your judgment against me is just!” David’s sin, his “rebellion” as he admits is exactly what happens when we get everything we want, yet want MORE.

We become seduced into thinking we deserve it, can get it and most of all – NOT get caught. All of this is a LIE. There is never a scenario where we “deserve” what a moral and deplorable act of power over another, or seeing and stealing whatever we want is justified! Even if we manipulate and manage to “get” it – that person, that position, that power, it is never right. And, even if NO ONE is watching, no one seemingly has seen us and we delusionally believe we got away with it – it is still wrong and the one true God of all justice SEES it and will judge it. There is no way ANYONE gets away with it.

The Bible just gives us this story to confront our own sin, but also to let us know that no one gets away with it. Judgment and justice may be slow because we are unaware of the trial and sentencing by God, but it is as sure as God’s name and nature. And, (this is hard to believe but true) God does it better, more thoroughly than we can even understand. In this sense, it doesn’t matter if a tyrant or con escapes or avoids a judge, court or trial judgment, NO ONE escapes God’s justice – ever! This is why God tells us “vengeance is mine.” – Romans 12:19.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Knowing that I want judgment on other’s evil but mercy for myself, David’s repentance gives me a sober hope. One that I always come clean before you and two, that I can leave the deep hurt and grief of injustice to you. You alone are capable of carrying out justice. Our courts and trials, juries and judges can’t possibly do as good a job as you!

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What happens when God has had enough!

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“On August 14 of that year, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.” 2 Kings‬ ‭25:8-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a brutal ending to Solomon’s temple and the whole city of Jerusalem. After multiple kings and years of horrible leadership and evil behavior, God brought in the foreign king of Babylon to serve justice to His own people.

Did God enjoy punishing, correcting His beloved Israel? No. Is God still good, right, just and true in having His own city rubbled to the ground? Yes. Warnings went unheeded, pleadings were met with harsh punishment on the prophets.

The kings of Israel were thoroughly stubborn enough to do their own thing and just as God had also warned them through Samuel (about Saul), kings can and will do some nasty things to have their own way. Four successive kings: Jehoahaz (23yrs old), Jehoiakim (25 yrs old), Jehoiachin (18 yrs old) and Zedekiah (21 yrs old) were all attributed this phrase, “did what was evil in the Lord’s sight….” So for 22 1/2 years Israel wasn’t just led by young inept leaders, they were stupid, cruel and wicked. It was a bad run of DNA or leadership culture that was not going to change. The last guy was the dumbest of the pack. “Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.”‬‬ And it ended badly for him! “They captured the king and took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment upon Zedekiah. They made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.”

Soon after, on August 14, 586 was one of the most awful days in Israel’s history. Yep, God will o be mocked and He’s not against using the wicked (even while trying to woo and negotiate with their hearts) to get His will accomplished.

It painfully reminds me in this long season of grace and mercy because of Jesus’ sacrifice, that God is still God. He is still holy, yet still good! Evil and wickedness cannot continue unleashed without consequences, without judgment or justice.

We would not want a world, an existence or eternity where evil was ignored nor where justice was blind. Yet we are shocked when WE ourselves, in our selfishness and willful evil decisions are also judged and consequences are experienced. I’m not a king or anything even close to that, but I have some limited leadership responsibility as a pastor. It is a sobering reminder as I read Israel’s history and see reflections of our humanity in these young kings decisions and of course, the final outcome.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Whew, what a gut check on this one. I’m not sure I think of the consequences of my decisions often enough. And not just how they effect my life, my family (poor Zedekiah’s sons!) but how they effect a larger group of people that I have influence over. The accountability to my actions are certainly overwhelming. I need, we need, your grace and power to live as Paul told young Timothy, an oversee must live above reproach.