There is something in each of us that desires justice. “Justice” means that a person gets what they deserve, that punishment is metered out commensurate with the misdeeds, that things turn out fairly, and that we are proven to be right. This keeps us stuck in our relationships and frustrated with God because justice often doesn’t happen in our timing. Here is how one woman has come to terms with this:

I’ve learned that grace is the only thing that matters. I was so frustrated and wanted justice so badly for so many years that it was a trap for me that kept me from relaxing and moving forward. I had an understanding that God would make all of the crooked paths straight in his timing, but I didn’t see it happening year after year and it was stealing my peace. My greatest joy has been coming to understand that all debts have been paid, punishment and justice are no longer necessary for ANY sin, and that means freedom not just for the people who have wronged me but freedom for me personally as well. I didn’t like it because it meant people were “getting away” with everything they’ve done wrong to me. Now, I understand that they are struggling with their own stuff too and I can have compassion while maintaining my own healthy boundaries. I can act lovingly no matter what they do because I know God sees all of us through his love.

Vengeance, justice, punishment, revenge, and retribution all belong to God. It is our responsibility to do what is right with our own actions regardless of what others do. We have to accept that God’s timing isn’t ours. It often appears that people are getting away with it and that God’s justice is slow. We often want others to feel the full wrath of God, forgetting that to God sin is sin. Any sin displeases him and if it wasn’t for his grace, we wouldn’t have his favor any more than the worst person we know.

If God chooses to offer grace rather than justice for today and if he compassionately chooses to give people another chance to repent, who are we to question him? We know that he is the ultimate righteous and fair judge who will make all things right in his time. He has established the laws of reaping and sowing. People will eventually know that what they have done wrong is wrong; they will know God’s righteousness; they will feel remorse for what they have done either in this life or the next. For now, we have to be content with doing what is right for ourselves and letting go of the desire to get even by desiring justice.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me to relinquish my desire for justice with the people that have harmed me.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Let go of your desire to get justice.

Scripture Meditation

 
Isaiah 30:18

“For the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (NIV)

Grace, compassion, and justice go hand in hand.

Psalm 37:1-11

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity” (NIV).

Let go and trust that justice will happen in God’s way and timing.