Isaiah 42:4 He will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”

This seems like a very timely Scripture. Issues of justice and injustice abound! America has certainly been displaying a two-tiered justice system of late, but there is hope, as more and more is being exposed and more and more people are waking up. There is no joy to what is going on in Israel, but at the very least the lines are being drawn very clearly and allegiances are quite obvious. In all of this mess it would be easy to become cynical, to essentially give up hope for mankind, but that’s why God gave us His Word, to let us know that He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned us, but His plans are still in effect. There have been countless times throughout history when people were tempted to give up all hope, but God has been faithful in spite of it all. From the human standpoint it can all seem very illogical, but as God had to remind Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) In the first place, we are born with an innate sense of justice. Even small children complain if something is “not fair,” in their estimation. However, every parent has encountered situations where their children complained, but the parents knew there were necessary things going on that the children didn’t understand. That’s how it is with us and God. We forget that the ultimate resolution isn’t in the world as we see it, but in God’s eternity. We should strive for justice on this earth and offer ourselves to God as His agents to accomplish that, but never think that we have the final answer in ourselves. I am reminded of a case where a vicious murderer escaped police but was later found in the desert, having died of thirst and exposure. The official wrote on his records, “Remanded to a higher court.” Ultimate justice is in God’s hands, and we should rest secure in that assurance.

I occasionally get worked up over injustice as I see it in the world, but I remind myself of this truth and choose to trust God. I have long liked this particular verse because of the last line in it. It might seem silly to assign “islands” to Japan, but there it is! (I give full permission to believers in Indonesia and other island nations to claim it for themselves.) My family has labored for 90 years now in this nation, and to this point have seen only a little fruit. However, the Bible has many references to harvest and reward. I know that my parents are currently more than compensated for their labors, and I have assurance that I will be as well. God is indeed just, as well as gracious and loving, and I can rest in that reality.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the message You’ve given me from this passage for this morning. May it indeed be Your words, accomplishing Your will in the hearts and lives of my hearers, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!