God Is Just

God Is Just

Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right? –Genesis 18:25

I’ve realized recently that there are three little words that are music to my ears. I’m afraid it reveals something rather pathetic about me, but I love it when someone says to me, “You were right.” Ahhh. Those three words have an enormous appeal to my ego. And I suppose I’d have to say that some of the most painful words I have ever had to speak are, “I was wrong.” And I spit them out less often than they are true. I’m just too flawed as a human to be right all the time. But God is right all the time. He is never wrong.

The Bible uses the same word for righteousness as it does for justice. Justice is the righteous way God governs every part of the universe. Justice is not simply an option God considers, but an unchangeable aspect of his very nature.

When we place our lives in the hands of human judges, we must accept that their justice will be imperfect because their knowledge is limited and our laws are flawed. The righteousness of their decisions is limited by the degree to which they yield to their prejudices and passions. But God has none of these deficiencies in the exercise of justice. He is infinitely wise, and nothing can fool him or escape him. He cannot be anything other than perfectly just. His holiness demands it. We can be confident that when destiny-defining decisions are made, the Judge of all the earth will do what is right.

When the justice of God works its way into our understanding of the painful experiences and circumstances of our lives, we can stand back and say, “God, you were right. Everything you do is right.” But this is not what comes naturally to us. It doesn’t come naturally to welcome God’s way with open arms and worship his righteousness. We’re more likely to point our fingers at God, accusing him of unfairness, questioning his timing, and doubting his love.

Are you willing to admit that your understanding is limited and say to God even now, “You are right”? Will you trust that God will always do what is right with you and your life and those you love?

Righteous Judge, you are right. Everything you do is right. Everything you have done in my life is right. I entrust myself to you because I know your love and justice intermingle for my ultimate good.

DIGGING DEEPER