Injustice and what to do about it

February 17, 2022 (Thursday)

 

Our world seems to harp on “injustice.” Families of victims (and victims) rightfully want justice. When they do not get it, we cry “injustice!” If you haven’t figured it out yet, we do not live in a fair world. Justice is not what we think it is when it arrives. All this builds frustration and anger.

 

David had a few words to say about the subject. Psalms 37:1 begins, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!” [ESV] I like the word “fret.” It has a sharp emotional edge. Getting upset about or worrying about those we perceive to do wrong. The second piece of information is to not be jealous when it appears they get away with what we perceive to be wrong doing.  

 

What is the cure? The gist of what David is going to advise is simple: get your mind off the other person! How, when we are emotionally involved how do we absorb the shock of injustice and evil in our world?

 

David starts with something that must be trained before we experience the full impact of injustice. Once we get hit with the cold-water of reality, we can rely on our default. If we get blind-sided by injustice, then we had better learn quickly.

 

Psalm 37:3a states, “Trust in the Lord, and do good.” [ESV, et. al.] The rest of the verse is translated various ways, but I want to focus on the skill set necessary to cope with injustice. Trusting God means we do not take matters into our own hands. However, it may be necessary to take action. This is where the doing good comes into play (see Romans 12:17, and 1 Peter 3:9). Another way to understand this is Keep your eyes on Jesus and keep doing good.

 

The next skill David covers is found in Psalm 37:4a, “Delight yourself in the Lord.” [ESV] If you make God what you seek and delight in… you will not go wrong. When the world goes topsy-turvy and you just want to “lose it,” remember you don’t have to focus on the situation or the injustice. Acrobats who do spinning moves are able because they use a fixed point of reference. Artists who make things look realistic do so by using a fixed point of reference.  

 

Third skill is another set, Psalm 37:5a, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him.” [ESV] The core of sin is doing your own thing. Whenever you are acting selfishly or out of self-interest, you can be sure that sin is “crouching at your door” (see Genesis 4:7). The image of sin God presents to Cain is that of a predator who is stalking or patiently waiting. The skill we must train is to commit what we do, say, and feel to God. This requires trust.

 

Dealing with injustice does NOT mean turning a blind eye. It means dealing with injustice in a confident and righteous manner. It means trusting in someone other than yourself to make things right. It means delighting in God as your fixed point rather than allowing the tentacles of evil to drag you to the grave, or into the evil cycle. It means keep your ways honoring God, because He is God.

 

If you train these things into your life BEFORE the injustice “hits the fan,” then you stand your ground and do not compromise. If you get hit before these are character traits (who you are), then pray like crazy and remember “I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’ Indeed, the LORD will give justice to his people.” [Deuteronomy 32:35 – 36a] (Quoted by Paul in Romans 12:19)