What is Justice?

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2017 Pentecost Devotions II
Wednesday, August 16
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

 1Thus says the Lord:
  Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come,
  and my deliverance be revealed.

 6And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
  to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
  and to be his servants,
 all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
  and hold fast my covenant—
 7these I will bring to my holy mountain,
  and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
 their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
  will be accepted on my altar;
 for my house shall be called a house of prayer
  for all peoples.
 8Thus says the Lord God,
  who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
 I will gather others to them
  besides those already gathered.

“… Maintain justice, and do what is right, …”
Maintaining justice isn’t about law and order, as a police officer or judge may do. It’s not even about fairness or equanimity, as in putting the same number of gifts in every child’s Christmas stocking. It is about doing what is morally and ethically correct. It means standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. It means recognizing the power and purpose of God, adhering to that power and purpose, and putting oneself on the line to prevent abuse, oppression or impoverishment of others. It means hearing and responding to God’s call do what is righteousness and faithful. 

Maintaining justice is rooted in one’s love for others – even those with whom we disagree. Rather than name-calling, it means we listen, pray and work with others so that all may know peace, hope and joy. It means we see every person as someone created and loved by God, and treating them so, with dignity and worth. It means we show compassion and caring especially to the “least of these” in our community.

Maintaining justice is a call to action – to stand in the breech between the oppressed and the oppressors, between the poor and those who impoverish them, between the weak and those who would walk upon them, between the bullied and the bully. It means welcoming the stranger, standing with the meek, honoring the righteous and lifting up the lowly. It means identifying with the least, not in order to dominate or use them, but so that you may understand their plight and fight for their rights.

Maintaining justice is what we do so that every person in our communities may grow in love, know peace, and discover the fullness of God’s blessings every day. Maintaining justice is what we do because we love the Lord and seek to obey God’s Word. It is what we do as followers of Jesus. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your justice. Amen.  

Thanks to Dave & Beth Westphal for this insight. 

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