Psalm 35
This psalm of David is another imprecatory psalm, meaning that they contain prayers for his enemies destruction. David obviously had a strong sense of justice that bordered on revenge except that he left his vindication in the hands of the Lord, at least in the psalms. David gets right to the point in this psalm: Contend with those who contend with me. He then gives some history: they had laid a trap of some sort for him even though he had prayed and mourned for them when they were ill. David calls for the Lord to act on what he has seen, cursing those who delight in his destruction and blessing those who rejoice in his restoration. He ends with a pledge to praise the Lord that, while not explicit, seems a bit conditional.
I have definitely felt the same way as David about some people or circumstances in my life; my sense of justice and fairness have been offended. I think the difference between my reaction and David's reaction in the psalm is that I dream of taking personal revenge while David prays to the Lord. David definitely has desires for the destruction of his enemies but, at least in the psalm, he trusts the Lord to vindicate him. I do wonder that if David had an opportunity to take revenge if he would see that as the way the Lord has chosen to restore justice. In other words, I wonder how passive David really was.
The other difference between my reaction and David's reaction is that I am often looking for "justice" for my name's sake while David is looking for justice for the Lord's name sake. It is not explicit in this psalm but it definitely comes up in other psalms. This is the difference between having a self-centered life and a Christ-centered life. When my life is centered on Christ, all my passions, emotions and desires are rightly ordered and when I see injustice I immediately recognize how that reflects on Christ's character and I want his name to be "cleared" or glorified. Again, I may be overstating a little bit since most of David's imprecatory psalms are written in response to perceived injustice against himself and rarely because of injustice in another's life.
It is clear that the Lord values justice, that he is the King and Judge and that I can be confident that he will restore justice. My prayer is that I would have the heart of David in regards to justice, not just for my own life but for others as well. I pray that God would make me more aware of the principles and values of his kingdom and of when those values have been offended. I pray that God would assert himself as the King and Center of my life so that I can be more aware of the suffering and oppression of others.
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
identifying with the oppressed
Hebrews 13:1-3
The key word in this section is love. The author gives a command to love one another as brothers and sisters and then gives two examples of how to love: show hospitality and identify with the oppressed. In the context, I believe that the author is speaking specifically about showing hospitality to other disciples and to fellow believers who are persecuted for their faith. I draw this conclusion based on the family language in the first verse: showing hospitality and identifying with the oppressed are examples of loving our brothers and sisters.
If my brother or sister was unjustly imprisoned or suffering persecution, I would move heaven and earth to bring justice to that situation. I would write letters, visit politicians, publicize the injustice, try to rally support, organize prayer meetings, pray continuously until the situation was changed. Even if my brother or sister was justly imprisoned, I would likely visit them regularly and support them as best as I could.
If my brother or sister needed a place to stay, I would inconvenience myself in order to make sure they somewhere. If they needed a ride or to borrow my car, I would try to work something out for them.
The author is pointing out that my fellow disciples are my brothers and sisters. I do not love them as I should. I do not go out of my way to welcome strangers. I do not go out of my way to make sure people have rides to church. I do not go out of my way to protest their unjust treatment at the hands of governments and mobs. My actions make it clear: I do not really care! Just this past Sunday I've been reminded of the plight of the oppressed and the high priority that Jesus places on justice. If I am to represent my King well, I must find a way to practice hospitality and stand up for the oppressed.
The key word in this section is love. The author gives a command to love one another as brothers and sisters and then gives two examples of how to love: show hospitality and identify with the oppressed. In the context, I believe that the author is speaking specifically about showing hospitality to other disciples and to fellow believers who are persecuted for their faith. I draw this conclusion based on the family language in the first verse: showing hospitality and identifying with the oppressed are examples of loving our brothers and sisters.
If my brother or sister was unjustly imprisoned or suffering persecution, I would move heaven and earth to bring justice to that situation. I would write letters, visit politicians, publicize the injustice, try to rally support, organize prayer meetings, pray continuously until the situation was changed. Even if my brother or sister was justly imprisoned, I would likely visit them regularly and support them as best as I could.
If my brother or sister needed a place to stay, I would inconvenience myself in order to make sure they somewhere. If they needed a ride or to borrow my car, I would try to work something out for them.
The author is pointing out that my fellow disciples are my brothers and sisters. I do not love them as I should. I do not go out of my way to welcome strangers. I do not go out of my way to make sure people have rides to church. I do not go out of my way to protest their unjust treatment at the hands of governments and mobs. My actions make it clear: I do not really care! Just this past Sunday I've been reminded of the plight of the oppressed and the high priority that Jesus places on justice. If I am to represent my King well, I must find a way to practice hospitality and stand up for the oppressed.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
justice will be served... eventually
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
The key words in this passage are judgement, just, punish, trouble and belief. The main theme is the judgement that will come when Christ comes to earth. Paul is reminding the church that Christ has not forgotten them and that justice will be served but it will be served according to Christ's timeline and his agenda, not ours. Paul's hope is that his reminder will help the church to persevere and not abandon hope and faith in the middle of the trials that they are facing.
This passage teaches me patience. I am sometimes eager for justice and, by my attitude I am saying that I know better than God how and when to bring judgement. God is the judge and he is just, but he is also patient and gracious. Sometimes my attitude is too much like Jonah's - I deserve God's grace and patience but nobody else does. Sometimes I appeal to fairness - that it isn't fair that people who break the rules and live for themselves have more than I do. God has to remind me that the fact that what I have isn't "fair" either. God has to remind me that I am dependent on his grace and that I don't deserve to know him or have even the faintest hope of eternity with him. He also has to remind me that my brand of justice is inferior to his because mine depends more on my mood and my selfishness. God's depends on truth, righteousness and goodness. When I can remember this, there is no one else I'd rather have sitting on the throne of judgement than God.
The key words in this passage are judgement, just, punish, trouble and belief. The main theme is the judgement that will come when Christ comes to earth. Paul is reminding the church that Christ has not forgotten them and that justice will be served but it will be served according to Christ's timeline and his agenda, not ours. Paul's hope is that his reminder will help the church to persevere and not abandon hope and faith in the middle of the trials that they are facing.
This passage teaches me patience. I am sometimes eager for justice and, by my attitude I am saying that I know better than God how and when to bring judgement. God is the judge and he is just, but he is also patient and gracious. Sometimes my attitude is too much like Jonah's - I deserve God's grace and patience but nobody else does. Sometimes I appeal to fairness - that it isn't fair that people who break the rules and live for themselves have more than I do. God has to remind me that the fact that what I have isn't "fair" either. God has to remind me that I am dependent on his grace and that I don't deserve to know him or have even the faintest hope of eternity with him. He also has to remind me that my brand of justice is inferior to his because mine depends more on my mood and my selfishness. God's depends on truth, righteousness and goodness. When I can remember this, there is no one else I'd rather have sitting on the throne of judgement than God.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
coming to life
Colossians 2:13-15
The key words: uncircumcision, sinful nature. This passage contains the themes of death and life, debt and forgiveness, condemnation and justification. It also contains the image of a Roman victory parade where the defeated enemy is marched, weaponless and in disgrace, before the cheering crowds. The enemy in this case are the spiritual powers and authourities.
There is a significant surprise contained in this passage using the cross. The cross was the symbol of the justice and might of Rome. It was to put the condemned prisoner on public spectacle both so he could be ridiculed and shamed but also to inspire good behaviour on the part of the people (behave yourself or this could happen to you). While terrible, it was also just (in the Roman view). Here, Paul turns that all upside down - Jesus died, in a travesty of justice, on the very thing that was supposed to symbolize justice. If justice was to be truly served, it would be you and I that would die but here the cross is turned into a symbol of grace. Even further, Christ takes what was supposed to be a way of making a public spectacle of him and turns it in order to make a public spectacle of those forces opposed to him. I'm sure the impact is lost in this culture but in the culture to which Paul was writing this would have been huge (especially as they likely would have still seen people exposed to public spectacle on these instruments of justice).
The application is obvious and great- I am free from the debt of sin. I am made alive in Christ (through his death and resurrection) and I need to live out this freedom and life.
The key words: uncircumcision, sinful nature. This passage contains the themes of death and life, debt and forgiveness, condemnation and justification. It also contains the image of a Roman victory parade where the defeated enemy is marched, weaponless and in disgrace, before the cheering crowds. The enemy in this case are the spiritual powers and authourities.
There is a significant surprise contained in this passage using the cross. The cross was the symbol of the justice and might of Rome. It was to put the condemned prisoner on public spectacle both so he could be ridiculed and shamed but also to inspire good behaviour on the part of the people (behave yourself or this could happen to you). While terrible, it was also just (in the Roman view). Here, Paul turns that all upside down - Jesus died, in a travesty of justice, on the very thing that was supposed to symbolize justice. If justice was to be truly served, it would be you and I that would die but here the cross is turned into a symbol of grace. Even further, Christ takes what was supposed to be a way of making a public spectacle of him and turns it in order to make a public spectacle of those forces opposed to him. I'm sure the impact is lost in this culture but in the culture to which Paul was writing this would have been huge (especially as they likely would have still seen people exposed to public spectacle on these instruments of justice).
The application is obvious and great- I am free from the debt of sin. I am made alive in Christ (through his death and resurrection) and I need to live out this freedom and life.
Monday, August 20, 2007
burdened
Romans 9:1-18
Paul lists the "credits" of Israel and laments that they have not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The key theme of the passage is election and promise. Underlying it all is the glory of God. I know that I don't have the same burden that Paul has for the lost. Paul goes so far as to say that he would trade places with them: that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would submit to his right to rule. I am not willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. God, please give me your heart for the lost of the city of Lethbridge. Help me to understand the seriousness of their situation. Don't let me ever tire of my efforts and prayers for them.
Paul goes on to say that God has ordained and elected certain people to respond to the gospel. This doesn't break the promise of God to Abraham but fulfills it. Paul declares that God's choosing is not unjust because God is being true to his character by having mercy on whom he wants to and hardening those whom he wants to harden. I believe, because I have been so indoctrinated by Piper through Sid, that God has in mind here his own glory and so he pours mercy on some for his glory and he hardens others for his glory. I agree with Paul (although it makes God seem completely self-absorbed which I think is only bad if you are human) that this does not make God unjust because God is being true to his character and God defines justice.
Paul lists the "credits" of Israel and laments that they have not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The key theme of the passage is election and promise. Underlying it all is the glory of God. I know that I don't have the same burden that Paul has for the lost. Paul goes so far as to say that he would trade places with them: that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would submit to his right to rule. I am not willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. God, please give me your heart for the lost of the city of Lethbridge. Help me to understand the seriousness of their situation. Don't let me ever tire of my efforts and prayers for them.
Paul goes on to say that God has ordained and elected certain people to respond to the gospel. This doesn't break the promise of God to Abraham but fulfills it. Paul declares that God's choosing is not unjust because God is being true to his character by having mercy on whom he wants to and hardening those whom he wants to harden. I believe, because I have been so indoctrinated by Piper through Sid, that God has in mind here his own glory and so he pours mercy on some for his glory and he hardens others for his glory. I agree with Paul (although it makes God seem completely self-absorbed which I think is only bad if you are human) that this does not make God unjust because God is being true to his character and God defines justice.
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