Many people in our culture have differing views of justice. It is something everyone desires and most believe they deserve. We know from Scripture that Christians do not desire justice in their relation to God, but grace. This is because Christians know they are sinners deserving God’s wrath. We do, however, long to live in an environment where true justice is the standard. Such a place will require the very rule of God, and the changed lives of its inhabitants. Such a place is promised by God in the future to those who will believe and follow Him.

I was just watching a bold protest on a news channel. The protestors were blocking the entrance to one of the leading Northeastern schools. Their claim for justice was to bring attention to the Palestinian cause by creating a disturbance and making hateful, slanderous, and threatening statements about Jews. These kinds of protests have become common in America. This is not justice, but opinion and seriously wrong thinking being carried out under the false banner of justice. The examples of injustice range from the smallest incidental things such as someone cutting in line at the grocery store, to persecution and murder of the innocent. Then there are the wars, like the one in Ukraine where thousands of innocent people are being killed and their homes destroyed. In our current world it is more unusual than not that justice prevails at any level. Injustice festers where truth is rare and is replaced by rationally disqualified godless thinking.  It is seen as an excuse for increasing degrees of sinful behavior. It is no wonder, for this is Satan’s realm and we the people are born sinners.

Our realm, our culture, and all who follow Christ will someday be under a new banner of perfect justice according to the promises of God. Isaiah chapter 2 tells us that in the last days (last times of this fallen world), “For the law will go forth from Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem, And He (Jesus Christ) will judge between the nations, and render decisions for many peoples” (Is. 2:3-4). He goes on to promise that all war will cease, and all people will enjoy living in peace. A little later in Isaiah we are promised, “And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6). This description can belong to no other person than Christ. It promises absolute control and perfection in ruling. It is only God who can create and maintain true justice at every level of existence. He is not only a God of love and truth, but He alone knows everything and has the omnipotent authority and power to carry out whatever He desires. Think of the description given of Him that can be summed up in, “His name is Wonderful.” This can be said of no other person.

As we travel a little further in Isaiah we read, “And He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist” (Isaiah 11:3-5). Following this Isaiah addresses God’s judgments on the nations of the world through chapter 31. Then God speaks through Isaiah again, “Behold, a king will reign righteously, and princes will rule justly. Each will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The mind of the hasty will discern the truth, and the tongue of the stammering will hasten to speak clearly. No longer will the fool be called noble, or the rogue be spoken of as generous” (Isaiah 32:1-5). Then a little later he will write, “Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious hearts, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you!” (Isaiah 35:3-4). Then five more chapters down we read, “Behold the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes” (Isaiah 40:10-11).

All of these progressing promises address the coming justice of God. This theme is not only found in Isaiah, but also in the other major and minor prophets of the Old Testament and also in the New Testament. What do we make of this? Do we believe what God has emphasized in such majestic promise and detail? Think of all the kings, prime ministers, and presidents that have ruled over people. Each of them had weaknesses and personal fallacies. Some were vile and terrible. Others were of greater benefit to those over whom they served but were still not perfect in justice. This will not be so with the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice” (Is. 42:3). The prophet is saying in the Lord’s kingdom all ruling will be in perfect balance as He brings perfect justice. Take the promises of God to your heart. Find your greatest joy in knowing what is yet to come. All that God has promised will come true. Beloved, keep looking up. Our Lord will soon be exercising His glory over this earth and those who trust and follow Him can have their greatest joy knowing He is coming.