​Lately you can feel it in the very atmosphere - the weight, the tension, the sorrow, the accusation, the desperation, the flickering hope. In the course of a few weeks, pastors from pulpits around the country have turned their focus to themes of justice and the oppressed. Their message is all around us, and most people are desperate for change of some kind, desperate to do the right thing, or desperate just to survive another day. ​

I live in Atlanta, one of the current “hot” cities.  Justice is a buzzword, and I’ve increasingly wondered how many of us truly understand what it means. I know I’m just beginning to scratch the surface.  See, it’s easy in times that are hard to be quick to speak; to be quick to think that my perspective is right; my solutions are the ones everyone else needs to heed. But if everyone has the “answer,” surely that means no one does.

My family and I participated in a march with a truly inspiring Christian organization committed to racial reconciliation in Jesus’ name here in Atlanta.  There was beautiful expression of unity and exhorting one another to put aside bias, humble ourselves, and love wholeheartedly. There was much good yet, even a noble march is not immune to the pointing of fingers and divisive statements.  Some demonized certain groups of people, others exalted human strength rather than trust in God. {These were not statements by the organization but rather that of the signage displayed by individuals}. I found myself encouraged by the expressions of unity, but also discouraged to see how far we still have to go to answering Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we would be one. How can there be unity/change when we can’t even agree on what “justice” looks like?
 
Meditation
Isaiah 40:13,14—Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? (ESV)
 
These verses leave me in awe. While I am wading through the sin and error of my culture and own human bias, I have communion with One who founded the very way of justice. As long as I look to the right or to the left, expecting politics or individuals to have the answer, I am missing looking up, into the eyes of the One who judges perfectly. I clearly see in the struggle around my city/nation, that we are all desperate for answers, for change, for hope. Yet, the vast majority of the time we are missing the One who actually sees rightly. 

No one taught God the “path of justice,” as Isaiah writes. The very idea is absurd! How foolish we humans must look when we are quick to speak, to assign blame, to tune into our news stations instead of poring over the Word of God, and crying out for wisdom and understanding. For God has not withheld understanding from us. Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely” (ESV).  We don’t have to flail about in confusion or arrogantly claim to have the answers. We know the One who does, and when we look to Him, He in turn is faithful and supplies wisdom and understanding.

I have hope that in these trying times, God is faithful to keep His promise. For too long, many of us have been apathetic about justice. I know I have been. God is not apathetic. He is zealous for His bride to be one. Let us not waste this hour, this opportunity to contend for true reconciliation in Jesus’ name! But may we be slow to speak, quick to humble ourselves, faithful to sit before God and to learn His way of Justice so that the prayer of Jesus may be answered!
 
Inspiration
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.—Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
©2020 Sarah Tegtmeier ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.     

​{Sarah is the daughter of Dan York} 

My parents are living on a farm in Zolfo Springs with my brother Nate and his wife Melissa.  Recently, their guard dog Shepherd went missing.  Less than a week later, Nate’s longtime companion, Minnie, was hit and killed by a truck on the road outside their home.  As my parents were out walking alongside a ditch looking for Minnie, a car stopped and the driver asked what they were looking for.  A conversation ensued in which the driver asked about getting permission to fish in the farm.  Dad explained that he was the owner and he would agree for Alex and his wife Elisa to fish as long as they were willing to let him share with them about Jesus.  They decided that was a fair arrangement and after fishing a couple of times at the pond and catching nice Bass, Alex one afternoon sat down on the farm porch and conversed with Dad about John 3:16.  He ended up placing his faith in Jesus.
 
Meditation
Matthew 6:10—Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
​

​Let’s make a case for the ten greatest empires/kingdoms of all time.  
#1. The Roman Empire:  Considered preeminent for its sheer power and long-standing influence in military and political systems, art, literature, and religion.
#2. The Mongol Empire: Five times the size of Alexander the Great’s territory, Genghis Khan established a kingdom that stretched from Eastern Europe to China.
#3. The British Empire: Almost a quarter of the earth’s landmass was covered by an empire effective in warfare and trade.

​Since 1958, the West Point Association of Graduates has presented the SYLVANUS THAYER AWARD to an outstanding citizen of the United States whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in the West Point motto, “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.”[1]  

As the shells rain down on hapless soldiers trembling in their foxholes, a man completely unknown as religious to his squad mates begins reciting the Lord’s Prayer. He remembers it from growing up attending Mass.  Now in their time of desperation he delivers it up to God. Considered the most beloved prayer in Scripture and taught by Jesus to His followers, we would be wise to unpack it, study it and apply it rigorously to our lives.  So let’s embark upon a prayer journey and take joy in 69 life-changing words.

​Meditation
Ecclesiastes 2:18-20—I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.  And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?  Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun.  This too is futile.  So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun.  
 
Ecclesiastes is a collection of wisdom writings from King Solomon who called himself the Teacher (1:1). Sometimes wisdom is most profound for what it reveals.  I don’t know how old Solomon was when he penned the words above.  During the first part of his reign he was a God-fearing leader and was blessed from heaven with incredible wisdom.  Later on he let his foreign wives turn his heart away from following God and his entire nation suffered.  Which period do you think the words above reflect?  

​Meditation
Psalm 145:1—I exalt You my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
 
Psalm 145 is one of my favorite psalms in the Bible.  Aside from the eleven different verbs or participles used to praise or recognize God, the entire twenty-one verses are a tribute to God’s greatness.  The predominant verb is the word praise (used six times).  In addition, the words exalt, honor, declare, proclaim, speak, give a testimony, sing, thank, and informing, are used in the Holman translation.  Five times God’s greatness is specifically highlighted.  

Colorado’s intent is to have an honorable justice system. Judges are elected differently than politicians running for office. They are rated on merit and then voted for by the public every four or six years.  By using this kind of system, judges remain independent from special interest groups and earn their keep through their job performance.    

​Sitting in the courtroom and listening to the judge emphasize the importance of listening and truth-telling, I could not help but feel gratitude for the opportunity to perform my civic duty.  For the first time in my life I was called to serve on jury duty.  It was an enlightening time learning how Colorado’s justice system is set up.  Unfortunately, it did not last long.  The court case to which I was assigned involved a company of which two other prospective jurors and I belonged.  We were instantly released from duty and sent home.