The Cry for Justice
Forgive me if this is too philosophical, but I can’t help wonder why the cry for justice is so powerful and painful in the human heart? Why are we seeing a global movement against injustice? Where does this ache come from?
If humanity is merely the product of a random collision of atomic particles, why do things like equity, respect, and fairness matter? Why is the planet crying out for wrong things to be made right?
Evolutionary biology advocates the “survival of the fittest.” If that is the overriding neurological drive of our species, injustice should be the acceptable norm.
Maybe, just maybe, the longing for justice has been irrevocably embedded in the human heart by one who cares deeply about it. Perhaps it is an indicator that one day, our communities will be forever governed by lasting goodness.
Consider the following:
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity")
"...God has planted eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 TLB)
“I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrong. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:7-8 TLB)
“The LORD will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden.” (Isaiah 61:11 CEV)
"Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom." (Psalm 45:6 NIV)
"...don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:7-8 NLT)
“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:4-5 TLB)
A prayer: God, we commit to you our ache for justice—for wrong things to be made right. We invite you into this deep desire. Forgive us for treating others unjustly. Cleanse us. Bring your healing and mercy into places where injustice has been committed against us. Please help us forgive as you have forgiven us. Keep us from hopelessness and bitterness as we seek ways to express justice. Enable us to trust that you care deeply about it and that you will bring it to pass beyond what we can think or imagine.
