Justice for All - Karen Huffaker

But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:22 NKJV

The classroom was quiet as students worked on their primary lessons. I was focused and minded my own business. Suddenly, Dick leaned over and kissed me. I promptly scolded him, but guess who got in trouble? Not Dick!

Our first-grade teacher blamed me for the disruption. As the principal’s wife, she was stricter than the other first-grade teacher. There was no one to defend me. I was sure a witness was at my table, but no one spoke up. The teacher directed me to stand behind the door for a time. Later, I could return to my seat. This was my earliest experience with fairness and justice, or lack thereof.

In the Old Testament, Joseph, son of Jacob, was wrongfully accused of an offense against Potiphar’s wife, then arrested and imprisoned. But God turned that situation around many years later, and Joseph was a blessing to the Israelites.

When life is unfair, where can we turn? Who can bring about truth and justice? Jesus is our saving defense, the rock of our refuge to whom we can turn.

We hear about situations when truth and fairness occur. We cheer on the little guy—glad he’s had a happy ending to his story and that justice prevailed despite resistance.

I applaud bold and vocal people who stand up for what is right, true, and good. I admire the ones who step out of the shadows and become heroes on the side of justice. There is right and wrong, true and false, and good and evil. 

In any circumstance, I know my true and faithful defense and refuge is God. I can trust in His promises. We can step up to the plate when we know those who are weak, infirm, forgotten, excluded, or destitute. We can be a voice for them and extend our support.

God will judge all things when we stand before His throne. I want to be on the side of righteousness, truth, and goodness. Make sure you are standing there, too. 

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Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

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When Life’s Unfair - Martin Wiles

Give orders that for the next thirty days anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to Your Majesty—will be thrown to the lions. Daniel 6:7 NLT

Life should be fair, but rarely is. So, what do we do when life’s unfair?

Life’s unfairness is prevalent. Thousands of lives are snuffed out every day before they can breathe outside their mother’s womb. Thousands more live in abusive situations. Numerous criminals walk away from court scot-free due to legal snafus. Innocent people are discriminated against. Many lose their good credit rating due to divorce or because their identity is stolen. Incurable diseases cause others to give up their jobs and depend on disability. Numerous Christians live in countries where declaring their faith means prison time or even death.

Life wasn’t always fair for Daniel, either. Taken captive as a teenager by foreign forces, he languished in a foreign land for many years. When he was eighty years old, Daniel faced an unfair law—one jealous men tricked the king into signing. No one was supposed to pray to any god for thirty days. Nevertheless, Daniel prayed to his God three times daily. He had a choice. Stop praying or be thrown to the lions.

Amid an unfair situation, Daniel chose to trust God. He didn’t start praying to antagonize the king; he simply continued the norm. He trusted God to close the lions’ mouths and protect him from his jealous enemies or either deliver him through death.

Quite a few unfair circumstances have touched my life. Learning to trust God when I want to react in ungodly ways is difficult, but vital. Making a path is God’s business. Mine is to follow it.

Daniel also stood firm in his commitment to God. He didn’t waiver because he was serving a pagan king. He didn’t brown nose, but neither did he flaunt his godliness. He was a man of faith who believed God would carry him through life’s unfair situations.

Standing firm when things are blatantly unfair challenges us. We want to repair things ourselves or eliminate the factor causing the unfairness. Satan wants us to doubt God and trust our own ingenuity. Neither is a good choice. We must be still and let God be God.

How do you respond when the unfairness of life caves in on you?

Father, remind me You control all of life’s situations. 

Tweetable: How do you respond when life's unfair? 

 

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