Ultimate Justice

Bad things happen. Tragedy hits home or close to home. It strikes your friends. Someone does something that seems unforgivable. Words cut deep and all you want is revenge. 

With the tragic events that took place in Boston just a few days ago, our first question is "why?!?" Why would anyone want to take the lives of people they have never even met? An 8 year old boy? Really? How heartless can you be? This kind of news hurts. For the people of Boston that day, they could not have even imagined the depth of despair they would experience. Even hundreds of miles away, people of all different walks of life are left shaking their heads. Memories arise of many other tragic situations. The gunman in the theater. September 11th. The Holocaust. Hunger in Africa. Human trafficking in Thailand. 

Our second question…"Why would a loving God allow something like this to happen???"  Many people try to suppress this question, but it is a question that needs to be answered. Why does God allow hurtful things to happen in the world? Hurtful things to good people? I must admit, this question has stumped me for years. Then I turned to the book of Job. I looked at the life of Paul. Even the life of Jesus. These were Godly, wonderful, loving examples of people who endured so much suffering here on Earth. And God allowed it! It just doesn't make sense. 

Jesus said these words…

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." – John 16:33(b)

He didn't say we "might" have hard times. He said we "will" face those hard times. So the question remains…."Why would God allow someone to walk into a school full of children and pull the trigger?" The answer is this. God has given everyone the ability to make choices. Choices for good, or choices to harm others. God did not make anyone robots and therefore it is up to you. God does not dictate the descisions we make, the words we say, or the things we do. It's a harsh reality to face, but all the problems with the world did not start with God. They started with us! 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." – Romans 3:23

Everyone is a sinner. Whether they like it or not. The reason that bad things continue to happen in our world is because of the sin that we all continue to wallow in. We think that our sin doesn't affect those around us. But the truth is, IT DOES! Maybe not the the effect of a horrible terror attack, but that is sometimes what it leads to.

So now your thinking…"Okay, if this is not God's fault…it was up to man…how do I get justice? How will I get my revenge? They need to be punished right?" 

We do have a certain amount of power to make things right here on Earth. We have the court system that tries its best at making things right. We have jails to put those who continue to harm others. We even have the death penalty instituted for those who have taken it too far. But sometimes even these systems cannot mend the hole dug in our hearts because of the overwhelming horror of these events. NOTHING WE DO CAN EVER MAKE IT RIGHT.

But God can! …wait what???…

Yes, God can. And he will have the ulimate justice. But sometimes it's in time. And sometimes, it won't be until after death when they stand before God's judgement throne. 

"Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait." – Isaiah 51:4-5

Ultimately God will have the last say. He is righteous and therefore things will be made right. It's comforting to know that someone is going to pay for the wrong done here on Earth…even if they are not paying for it now. 

Isn't it Great to serve a God who gets ultimate justice? In the meantime, let's keep the people of Boston in our prayers. They are suffering right now and need to know there is a God that is fighting for them.