For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Isaiah 61:8 ESV
Whereas the word ‘love’ permeates the entirety of the Bible, it is used exclusively by God to express his passion for a few qualities that reflect his divine characteristics. One of those qualities is justice. God zealously declares his love for justice throughout the Bible. He also warns those who pervert justice and gives notice of his intent to punish the unjust.
In today’s text, the Lord uses persuasive language to remind the Israelites of his commitment to justice. The Lord makes it clear that he hates robbery and wrong, and will deal with individuals based on the standard of justice. God also promises to make a covenant with his people that is centered on justice.
God remains steadfast in his passion for justice for the oppressed and downtrodden. He will not allow wickedness to triumph over righteousness. Oppression cannot defeat or overcome justice. The day of reckoning for those who profit from injustice is at hand. Those who have been denied justice for an extended period of time can rest assured that justice delayed is not justice denied.
Justice cannot be denied because God is a God of righteousness. The characteristics of God permeate the whole world. Injustice is like a cancerous cell that is infesting creation, and God has been neutralizing its side effects since the fall of Adam and Eve. Those who administer true justice and show mercy will receive abundance from the Lord. The Lord will set the table before them in the presence of their enemies, and their cups will overflow.
In the same way, agents of oppression and those who benefit from repression will eat the fruits of their wickedness. The Lord’s ears are inclined to the cries of the oppressed. He will not remain silent to the suffering of the downtrodden. His heart aches when inequality robs individuals of their human dignity.
Tyrannical leaders and systems have terrorized many people throughout history. All of these tyrants and the systems of oppression they established have all been vanquished. Yet, many individuals think they can get away with the systematic oppression of groups of individuals. It will not work, for “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” (Dr. Martin Luther King).
As the movement to end, systemic racism in America continues to gain momentum, and we have to remain vigilant and proactive in reminding the powers that be that justice cannot be denied. Indeed, justice for the marginalized in American society has long been delayed. However, it cannot be denied because God is on the side of the oppressed.
The system of oppression and racism in America is morally bankrupt and theologically loathsome to All Mighty God. The stench from the blood of the innocent that has been spilling since slavery is nauseating to our Lord. He has dispatched his angels to anoint the earth with the aroma of justice.
So be encouraged my brothers and sisters who have been wrongly accused and sent to prison for a lengthy sentence. To my brothers and sisters that are marching and chanting “Black Lives Matter” in many cities of America, I say, your sacrifice is not in vain. I say the Lord will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing for you in due season to the victims of economic oppression. The voice of our ancestors are crying out from beyond the grave "how long Lord?" We can rest assured that God has heard their cry and he will render justice according to his lovingkindness. Justice delayed is not justice denied!
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please give the oppressed the courage to keep pressing and demanding justice as they await their deliverance.
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