When Justice Comes and Doesn’t

Our country has faced a rollercoaster of news headlines and emotions over the past few weeks. With everything surrounding Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, our nation has been hurt deeply, stemming from both sides of the political aisle. People argued, protested, and prayed over this particular event and as time went on, many opinions differed on the outcome. One group believed that Kavanaugh was the man he claimed to be—a shining knight of the conservative establishment and a devoted public servant. The other side believe he to be a vile man, who has carefully hidden his past sexual assault and questionable life habits. 

I use this example because I have followed it closely over the past few weeks. I have prayed and asked the Lord for the truth to be known, no matter the outcome. I feel it my Christian duty to pray for our leaders no matter their political positions. Romans 13 speaks clearly of the fact that there are those appointed by God to govern over us, and it is a given that believers will pray for those in government and positions of authority. I also followed Kavanaugh’s confirmation closely because I know the possible implications his appointment to the Supreme Court.  No matter what side you might fall on politically or ideologically, the concept of nine non-elected judges’ rulings and interpretations can become the law of the land is a hard pill to swallow. Their rulings must be followed.  

But with that being said, the appointment of this Supreme Court Justice could lead to the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision by the Supreme Court that affirmed a woman’s right to abortion under the constitution. Under this present Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade could be repealed and it could be a step in the right direction to end government funded abortion.

Understanding the importance of this appointment, and seeing how both sides differ on Kavanaugh’s confirmation, how should a Christian respond when we feel justice has be served, and when it hasn’t—when justice comes and when it doesn’t?

The one thing that I must remind myself constantly, especially when I feel my emotions taking over, is that our God is sovereign. Our God rules and reigns. He is in control and he is in power. Romans 13:1 clearly states the sovereignty of God. God appoints the principalities and powers in this world. God has given us much freedom in this life and in the decisions that we make, but easily we forget that when we cast the ballot or raise our hand, whether it be for or against, God has already seen and ordained that day. Our God is not caught off guard by freak elections or the shocking win of the underdog. Our God is sovereign. 

Another to consider is that our God is a God of justice. I love the illustration of God being a good judge. If God is sovereign, holy, righteous, and if he is all-knowing, then he knows the hearts and minds and man, and will deal equally and fairly with every action, whether it be an acts of good or evil. The same God who requires us to “do justice” (Micah 6:8) will enact judgment and see justice served to the nations.  

John was given a beautiful picture of the new heavens and new earth. It is a place where God’s people live knowing justice has been served to them and on the earth.

Revelation 19:1–5 (ESV)  After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,  “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him,  small and great.”

One of the great struggles of the Christian life is trusting in our God. God works on his own time and for his own glory. So often, we can only see what is directly in front of us. We see this moment in this day and maybe a little farther, but still the events are ultimately out of our control. God sees all things and knows all things. How often are we like Job trying to give a defense of our thoughts and try and tell God how to rule over his creation. And it is in those moments we are humbled by our sovereign, all-powerful, holy God. 

Trust in God and he will care for our souls. Trust in God and he will enact justice and judgment according to his own holiness, not our time or opinions. Remember the words of our Lord,

Revelation 22:12–13 (ESV) 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Rejoice when we see God’s judgment and justice in our life, for we are privileged to see  him working in our lives. But also do not be discouraged when justice doesn’t come. Just because we don’t see it immediately, does not mean that is not coming. For the Lord has said, “I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” 

Bro. Jesse

For our Children

Today is the day. It was announced earlier this morning that President Trump will reveal his nominee for the Supreme Court. The President has said that it his belief that the most important decision a sitting President can make is selecting a Supreme Court Justice. I sit here reflecting on this day and the impact that it will have for future generations. I believe that he is right in thinking that one of the most important and future-shaping decisions that can be made by a sitting President is the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice. But why?

The answer is because our children’s lives are a stake. Many of you might read this and say, “not my children.” I know that many who read this are Christians. They have loved their children from the moment they saw the test read positive. They rejoiced and prayed and thanked God for his grace and love. But that is not the case for our country and our world.

America leads and often the world follows. We have been a beacon of hope and prosperity since its inception. The words "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” have been echoed across the world and heard by those searching for a better life. We have been founded on a general truth, that all people are created equal, that all people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have shown the world what a democracy can do for a people and how it can help and shape the world. But sadly we have lost our way, and instead of leading we have fallen.

Regrettably, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are denied to the unborn. At the altar of culture, we have sacrificed our children to the god of convenience and an easier life. We have sacrificed our children to the god of women’s rights and political agendas. We have sacrificed our children to the god of this world. But what the old belief that it is the hard things in life that build character and a future? What about the rights of the child and the belief that the higher power supersedes political agendas? What about the actual God of this world and his plan for all children, born and unborn alike?

Today’s decision will shape our tomorrow. A war is coming and it will be in the name life, and equality, and culture. There will be causalities. If the President does, in fact nominate a conservative, and that nominee does make it past the Senate, and Roe v. Wade is overturned, a war will break out and our nation will be divided even more than it is now. If it goes the other direction, there will still be unrestricted abortion across our nation, and each day more children will be murdered and added to the already staggering sixty million bodies already laying at the altar. 

But where will the church stand? The world says that the Christian Church is on the wrong side of history. The world says that we should get in line and accept that the times are changing. But one thing that the world does not understand, is that we remain firmly planted just as our God stands. He rules and reigns and will soon return to right every wrong, and avenge every child killed in the name of culture. 

So I ask, are you prepared to be on the wrong side of history? Are you ready for the war that is coming? The war will claim many lives. There are many hills to fight and die on, and this one of them. Pray that God would step in and save our nation. Because we know, that our faith is not in a President or a political party—our faith is not in a Supreme Court to save our children, but in the God who knows all things and hears all prayers. So pray for strength in the hard days ahead. Pray the world would believe in the Gospel and know that all life is to be cherished and protected. Pray that the sin of abortion would be seen and Roe v. Wade would be repealed. We pray these things for our nation and for our children.  May God have mercy on us in these days ahead.

—Bro. Jesse