Reflect

“That’s not fair!” If you have kids or are around them often, you’ve probably heard this phrase being shouted in frustration, usually accompanied by pouting lips and perhaps stomping of feet. Our normal adult response is, “Life isn’t fair.” 

While this is true, we all expect a certain measure of fairness in our Western society. We expect to get compensated for the hours we work. We expect that the person at the front of the line will get served next. We expect to be treated respectfully when we are paying for a service. But in many parts of the world, fairness is non-existent and corruption, abuse of power and injustice is a normal part of life. And while we may expect fairness in our daily life, we know that injustice exists in many places in our own country.

In the opening lines of the book of Proverbs, Solomon tells his son that he wants him to “to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.” (Proverbs 1:3) Later, he proclaims that justice is “more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3), a surprising statement to a society whose religious practices depended on sacrifice for atonement of sins. God sees injustice when it occurs and cares deeply about those who suffer from it. His solution? You and me.

Respond

Where have you seen injustice recently? Have you felt called to respond? Why or why not?

What do you think Proverbs 21:3 means? What would this look like in your own life?

Spend some time asking God where He may be calling you to “do justice” this week.