God of Justice…Or Is He?

9 posted on July 9, 2009

POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Social Justice

** this is a re-post of a piece I wrote for JustWallpaper a few weeks ago. I thought it was worth sharing here for anyone who may have missed it **

One of my favorite worship songs right now is an anthem by Tim Hughes called “God of Justice.”

God of Justice, Savior to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

We sing those words and yet they seem to ring hollow when we see the injustice throughout our world. The other night I watched the movie Taken that delves into the dark world of human trafficking. My heart broke as I watched a story unfold not unlike the tens of thousands like it every day.

Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons. UNICEF reports that there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade, an industry with a reported market value of $32 billion.

A $32 BILLION dollar industry that enslaves millions of women and children into forced labor and prostitution?
Where is the justice is that?
Where is God in that?

Where Are God’s People?

Many question a God that could allow such pain and tragedy in this world. Things aren’t getting better. They’re getting worse. Sure, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day and the abolition of slavery in the United States but that was one battle won. We’re losing the war.

Slavery is more prevalent around the world now than at any time in human history. There are more slaves today than in the Roman Empire or at the height of the transatlantic slave trade.

So where is this God of justice?

The question isn’t, “Where is God?” The real question is, “Where are God’s people?”

In Isaiah 58 the people of Israel complain that they have prayed and fasted with no noticeable response from God. “‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls and You take no notice?’”

God’s reply through the prophet Isaiah is stinging in its accusation, “You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?”

God continues to then describe what true fasting and brokenness look like.

The kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to let the oppressed go free. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help

God’s Chosen Instrument of Justice

It’s hard to fathom a God that creates a beautiful world and populates it with people endowed with a free will who destroy it. Harder still to believe is that he has given us the task of demonstrating his love and restoring justice to this broken world.

How humbling it is to realize that an all-powerful God has chosen us to be his instruments of justice in this world (Isaiah 1:17). It is through us that God seeks to free the slaves, care for the sick and feed the hungry.

As I listen to the chorus of this worship song one more time I picture in my mind the millions who still live their lives in captivity to another human being. I see those suffering from curable, preventable diseases. I hear the cries of the poor and the hungry. As I sing along I pray these words:

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 8:07 am and is filed under Blog Posts, Social Justice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Comments

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July 9, 2009

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1 Rosita said:

I just recently found your blog, and this post a good example of why I keep coming back.

You really get right down to the heart of things with “The question isn’t, “Where is God?” The real question is, “Where are God’s people?””

This is such an important issue that does not get the attention it needs. One place that is doing really good work is International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org).

Thank you for the reflection/challenge.
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July 9, 2009

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2 alece said:

on a much smaller scale than what you wrote about, i’ve been wrestling with this same thing. my life doesn’t feel very just at the moment; hasn’t for a long time. i know God’s justice looks very different than mine, and that i may not even see/experience it in this lifetime… and, well, to be honest, right now that just adds to the hurt and disappointment of my life.

He promised to defend me. i’m just waiting for Him to start already.

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July 9, 2009

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3 Evan said:

That’s absolutely true. It isn’t God who is allowing bad things to happen, it’s people allowing bad things to happen.

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July 9, 2009

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4 bill (cycleguy) said:

Just posted this same song yesterday (Wednesday)on my blog at http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?p=2543 My thoughts are there.

bill (cycleguy)’s last blog post..Dancing & Celebrating (Life)
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July 9, 2009

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5 Stephen Bateman said:

Well the Kingdom is now, but not yet (-John Wimber).

I totally see little bits of justice seeping through the cracks, but there’s lots of work to be done. I can’t wait to see what the next 40 years provide!!

Stephen Bateman’s last blog post..My blog needs to rest.
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July 9, 2009

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6 Brad Ruggles said:

@Stephen – “I see little bits of justice seeping through the cracks…” Well said. Love that thought.
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July 12, 2009

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7 Abbey said:

I love what that verse says about fasting.
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July 13, 2009

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8 Dave Peele said:

As a father of a young daughter, I watched the movie, Taken, and cringed with fear and anger at the thought of that happening to my daughter. The nasty realization of that movie as opposed to others like it, is human trafficking really does happen in this world and is a prevalent problem.

It is absolutely true that we as God’s people must stand up and defend his commandments and fight against the injustices of this world. This goes beyond the issue of human trafficking to other prevalent issues such as abortion, removal of God from the US government, etc. We must continue to stand up and defend these causes.

Another organization doing a great job to raise awareness of human trafficking is http://www.love146.org/. Great post!
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July 16, 2009

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9 themisfit said:

Thanks for the great post.
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September 15, 2009

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10 Chelan said:

Brad – I hope it’s cool that I reference this post in one I’m writing now. It (you) played a part in making me aware of this issue & in the last month or so, I’ve chosen to become an instrument – & joined forces with “Stop Child Trafficking Now” (http://SCTNow.org).

God is a God of mercy, but a God of justice, and I will not stand by, knowing how quickly this growing, and do nothing.

Sept. 26th I’m doing my 1st SCTNow WALK (in downtown Austin).

Thanks, again!
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September 15, 2009

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11 Chelan said:

Oh – one more thing – in case you or any of your loyal fans would like to help me reach my goal of raising $100 by Sept. 26th, please do! That would seriously make my week! Just click here

http://sctnow.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event.fundraising&eventID=549&participantID=3364

Thanks
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September 16, 2009

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12 Brad Ruggles said:

Chelan – That’s so awesome that you’re actively involved in helping in the fight against human trafficking. SCTNow is a great organization.

For anyone who wants to help Chelan out, the correct link to donate towards her fundraiser is:

https://sctnow.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.start&destination=P&eventID=549&participantID=3364
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October 5, 2011

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13 Susanette Marion said:

I really agree with you Evan.It is not God who is allowing bad things to happen, it’s people allowing bad things to happen.

I also agree with you Rosita. “The question isn’t, “Where is God?” The real question is, “Where are God’s people?”

This is a great post! Keep posting!