20th December Advent Devotion – The Lord Our Justice
Hello,
I began my morning swim in darkness. Afterwards I stepped outside to the breathtaking sight of the morning sunrise! It stopped me in my tracks!
Psalm 19:1 says, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
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| Photo by Karen Way – Sunrise Over Derby |
About 600 years before Jesus is born, Jeremiah foretells his coming. He says “This is the name they give him: The LORD our justice.” He reveals that the coming messiah will reign as king, govern wisely, do what is just and right, bring salvation, so those who belong to him shall dwell in security.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.” Jeremiah 23:5-8
I pondered over these words.
I thought again about Joseph who faced the unexpected ways of God. In his mind ‘justice’ for his betrothed Mary was to quietly divorce her, then God intervened… and Joseph trusted God to become His Justice.
I thought about Mary who encountered God through the Angel and trusted Him to do what is just and right. She surrendered her reputation, the right to be understood, relinquishing all for Jesus sake.
At the time I was experiencing great injustice. I too had surrendered reputation, the right to be understood, to speak, to be heard, to be believed and much more. Life had questions without answers, uncertainty, yet God had promised He had made a way for me.
I thought about Jesus “who Though He was God, poured Himself out for me – The Lord our Justice humbled Himself, obedient to death—a merciless death on the cross!
I heard him say I have taken every injustice into my death. “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”
As I swam, I experienced freshly the deepest awareness of being loved by God who carried injustice for me. I felt his covering, his care, his honouring of me. He lifted off pain and burdens. I still couldn’t see the way ahead, yet I had assurance and peace. I finished my swim.
Then I stepped outside into that glorious sunrise. Moved beyond words by His beauty, I wept.
Take time to read this well known scripture again and consider the injustice that Jesus surrendered to for our sake. See the Father’s honour for His obedience.
If you have been hurt by injustice ask Father what He wants to say to you about that through this passage.
Is there anything you need to lay down for yourself?
Is there anyone you need to release back to God so you can receive the Father’s freedom, honour and peace?
Philippians 2:5-18
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.
Shine Brightly for Christ
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Lets worship with Melissa Helser “Explode My Soul” in this beautifully written song crying out to Father to stand up in the place of injustice and fight for the one he loves.