Micah: Justice + MercyExemplo

God of Justice

By Shona Baselice

“Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evilness on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his  house, a man and his inheritance.”  Micah 2:1-2 (ESV)

“Granddaddy was robbed and they took everything,” my mom sobbed through the phone.  The stamp collection he started as a boy, my grandma’s jewelry, a prized violin, the cash he’d been saving to buy my uncle a car—ALL gone! 

My grandpa, a creature of habit, would leave his house every day at the same time to feed my grandma breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the nursing home where she lived. The thieves had been watching him long enough to learn his daily rhythm and one day while he was gone, they took his front door off the hinges and walked right in. They devised wickedness and worked evilness on their beds! When the morning dawned, they performed it, because it was in the power of their hands (Micah 2:1).

One doesn’t have to look very far these days to see evil in the world. You simply have to turn on your computer or television to see the flow of endless, shocking headlines. It can be overwhelming and exhausting to hear such stories, especially when the outcome of them is justice NOT being served. 

I remember feeling so angry when I heard about my grandpa. The fact the individuals involved were never caught burdened me and, if I’m being honest, felt so unfair. It took time and prayer to let go of my anger, but ultimately I surrendered to the truth that God is in control and He sees. He saw my grandpa’s loss and suffering, and He sees yours.  

Psalm 11:7 (NIV) says, “For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” What a truth to cling to when justice seems to escape us in this world. God loves justice! His heart is for justice! He will not lightly judge the wickedness in this world. “Woe to those who devise wickedness.” Woe is defined as ruinous trouble and calamity. Micah wanted his readers to know God saw the wickedness happening around them and judgment would come to those who didn’t repent. His message is just as true today. 

Knowing God loves justice fills me with hope. It tethers my heart to His when the chaos and pain of this broken world threaten to sweep me away. We must not grow angry or weary when it seems like there is no justice to be found upon the earth. God is watching, and His righteousness and justice will prevail.

Pause: How do you feel about what you see daily on the news? Do you believe God is in control and will one day right all that is wrong?

Practice: Memorize Psalm 11:7.  

Pray: Lord, thank You for being a God who sees. I confidently know the evil happening in the world does not escape Your sight. Your heart breaks and burns for justice. I trust you, my defender and shield. I put all my hope in You! Amen.