God and injustice

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 57:15–59:21 
Philippians 1:1-26 
Psalm 71:1-24 
Proverbs 24:9-10

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Isaiah 59:15-16 (NLT) "... The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We serve a big God. He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3) and nothing can stop Him (Job 42:2). If God weren't such a loving God (1 John 4:8,16), we would have legitimate reason to be terrified of Him. But, because He loves us so much, we have reason to "fear" (stand in awe) of Him. We can love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). 

So, each morning is an invitation to wake up and enjoy another day with our God. Regardless of what the day brings, we can enjoy relationship with Him knowing He's fully in control of all things and loves us immensely.

But, if we aren't careful, we will read through those previous paragraphs and think that our relationship with God is self-centered. It is ultimately for our therapy. It makes us feel good as an end in itself. 

And that would be so far from the truth.

God is not 'man-centered.' He is 'God-centered.' Each day is an opportunity to discover what God is doing and join Him in that activity.

Well, what is God up to? As we enjoy Him today, what might He be doing around us? In my Bible reading a few moments ago, I came across an answer to those questions.

Isaiah 59:15-16 (NLT) "... The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him."

One of the things God might be doing around you today is to seek justice for those who are oppressed. Whether it is a fellow student who is being bullied, or an elderly parent who got scammed by a salesman, or someone who is mistreated because of the color of their skin.

Wherever injustice can be found, you can be sure that God is looking for someone to intercede.

Now, Christians typically don't fight for our own rights. We follow Jesus' example (Philippians 2:3-8) and periodically give up our rights for the benefit of others. But, when it comes to other people whose rights have been violated - well, that's a different matter.

Friend, if you see injustice today, ask yourself what God might be doing in that situation. With your mind informed by regular intake of Scripture, ask what God might desire to happen in that situation. And then ask what He might desire to do through you to intercede on behalf of the oppressed.

If you do this, you will be moving away from a 'me-centered' theology to one that is 'God-centered' and 'others-centered.' These are much more biblical and are the essence of the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).