Forbidden Faithნიმუში

God of Justice and Mercy

‘... This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfil my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear.’ (Jeremiah 39: 16–17 NIV)

After two and a half years of siege and starvation, Jerusalem finally fell and Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, victoriously marched in and took over the city. As Jeremiah had prophesied, Zedekiah’s life was spared but he was forced to witness the killing of his sons, was then blinded and taken off to Babylon in chains. Jeremiah was set free and vindicated as the truthful prophet.

We worship a God of perfect justice – but His nature is also to show mercy. However, looking around our troubled world and the undeserved suffering of so many of those whom He loves, we may sometimes wonder why such wicked people, corrupt regimes and evil ideologies dominate so much. We may even be tempted to doubt God’s love and integrity. But, as the apostle Paul wrote, a day of fearful judgment is coming when all these wrongs will be righted: ... [God’s] righteous judgment will be revealed. God ‘will give to each person according to what he has done’. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Romans 2:5–8

When we finally reach heaven, I believe that we will see millions of men, women and children who suffered terribly in this life in seats of great honour and receiving riches untold from the King they loved and served to the point of death. We should tremble at the thought of God’s righteous anger towards those responsible for injustice and regularly examine our own lives and confess our sins.

But often punishments and rewards come to us during our lifetimes. Just as Zedekiah met his brutal fate, so Ebed-Melech received a special message of mercy and grace from God. His courage, compassion and commitment to his friend Jeremiah did not go unnoticed. The same is true of our actions towards those created in His image. We can trust the Judge of all the earth to do right (see Gen. 18:25).

Prayer: Holy God, we long for Christ’s coming when all wrongs will be put right and Your faithful servants will be rewarded. We place our trust in Your righteousness, forgiveness, mercy and grace. Amen.