Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4 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.
Devotion: God is just. To say that He is just means much more than simply saying that He is fair. It means that He always does what is right and good toward all of mankind. It can be easy for us to seek and desire justice in instances where we have been wronged or a time when we feel passionately about an injustice. And we can trust God to be the ultimate judge in those situations, even when things don’t end exactly how we want them to in this lifetime.
We must also be careful to hold in tension the nature of God’s goodness and His justice. Often, we can be tempted to believe that God does not punish sin or the unsaved. When we look at this mercy, grace, and love, it seems out of character for Him. But let us be reminded that He does what is right and good toward all mankind. So, in order to enter His presence and abide with Him, we must be clean and without spot or mark. This means we need to have no sin. While this is impossible, and therefore seems like God is being cruel, we need to remember the very hope that God Himself has provided us with- Jesus.
It is true that there is a punishment for sin: death. But Jesus, the spotless lamb, took on that punishment for us once and for all. He conquered death and ascended in heaven. So God’s judgement was poured out in its entirety on the shoulders of Jesus on the cross. Jesus took that on, recognizing it as the Father’s will that all of humanity might be saved through Him.
He is completely just. And He is completely loving and gracious. Our sin was dealt with through Jesus. We must not forget that. But God is also the very one who provided the means for that to happen so that we can spend eternity in His presence.
Reflect:
- Is God’s justice something that you long for when you think about this world or something that you fear?
- Take some time to confess the sin in your life and then praise God for providing Jesus as the way to forgiveness.