He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV)

We look around us and we may think that with all of the suffering and evil, how can God be just? Why do evildoers seemingly do so well in life? Why doesn’t God immediately punish the murderers, the slave traffickers, and all manner of sinners?

He will punish sin. We can be certain of that. God’s reluctant prophet Jonah warned the people of Nineveh of the Lord’s judgment, and they repented. The prophets of God warned of coming destruction if the Israelites did not repent from their idolatry and disobedience to Him. God exiled the people when they continued to sin. The New Testament book of Revelation tells of numerous judgments to come on those who reject Him. God repeatedly revealed His mercy and patience, yet we dare not forget that the Lord is just.

If the Lord were to deal with us justly, but without mercy, we could not stand. We’ll never be perfect in this life; sin trips us up.

Thanks be to God, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. I John 1:9 – 10 (NKJV).

Scripture tells us that God is just in all that He does. Why is that important?

If God were not just, He could ignore one person’s sins while holding another one accountable. In His justice, He is righteous in His judgments and in His blessings. He shows no partiality (Romans 2:11)

The Lord tempers His justice with patience, not wanting us to perish.

Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV)

* Thank God that He is just. How does that impact you?

Does God’s grace mean that we can continue to walk our own way? Not at all! Peter tells us to live in fear, or awe.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. I Peter 1:17 (NIV)

The Lord commands us to do justice. His Word is full of instructions for living godly, just lives.

For instance, You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 (NKJV). I haven’t killed anyone. However, Jesus took that command even further in Matthew 5:21 – 22. He linked anger to judgment. Many times I’ve been angry, and not always with a just cause. Sometimes I let my words and attitude burn without thought before I confess it as sin and seek forgiveness from the person I offended, as well as from God.

Living out God’s instructions can be a challenge. We cannot do it on our own, but the power of the Holy Spirit within the believer gives us power to obey.

*Consider the instructions given in Micah 6:8; Ezekiel 18:5 – 9; Jeremiah 22:3; Deuteronomy 16:18; and Psalm 82:1 – 3. List ways to live just, righteous lives. Expand the list with ideas. For example, to obey Psalm 82:3, what are some ways you can give justice to others? How can you help the fatherless, the weak, the afflicted, or the destitute? My church quilting ministry gives quilts to a pregnancy center.

* How can/do you reflect God’s justice in your life? Ask the Lord to help you.

* Please consider sharing your reflections in the comments.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being just. Please help me to pursue Your justice in my life and in my dealing with others. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.