WHAT DO WE DO WHEN FACED WITH BRAZEN INJUSTICE?

“WHAT DO WE DO WHEN FACED WITH BRAZEN INJUSTICE?” is not a new question. It is an old question, that keeps popping up on a regular basis. The LORD answered this question, some 2500 years back, through the book of Habakkuk, in response to Habakkuk’s anguish at gross and brazen injustice, and the seemingly silence of the LORD. The LORD said to the prophet…
– “4 Behold…the just shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4

The problem of injustice is much more than the failure of law. It is much more than the violation of the laws, and the miscarriage of justice, where the right to recourse to restoration of justice, is intentionally blocked, brazenly upholds the “Might is right” principle, in a society. It is the problem that the Bible addresses with unmatched clarity. The LORD has shown us where the problem of injustice is, in His Bible…
– “9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9

Even before it was revealed through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD spoke right at the very beginning of human civilisation, immediately after the fall, in Genesis 6:5.
– “5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – Genesis 6:5

What did God do about the human heart? When the LORD God, our Creator saw the rebellion of man, and its impact on human heart, and the change in man’s behaviour, God’s wrath was kindled on man’s unrighteousness, wickedness and evil, and therefore, He gave them up to the desires of their own hearts. 
– “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” – Romans 1:18-32 

The world as it is, cannot help itself, nor make any amends to itself. It cannot become good. It will continue to walk on this path of self-destruction, in a phased and progressively declining manner. This is all too obvious to us. The only way out is for someone to come to the Cross of Calvary, and confess their sins, and commit themselves into the hands of Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of all mankind. There is no other way out.
– “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
– “12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13

What does God tell us, as His disciples? What is the LORD expecting from us, as Christians? How does God Almighty want us to respond to injustice, and the intentional and brazen violation of God’s righteous laws? Time tested Christian response, seen throughout the history is, to run to God; pour out our hearts in lament, and seek God to stand with us and bring justice to us. Charles Spurgeon sums this up well…
– “Many a time has this bitter complaint been heard in the dungeons of the Inquisition, at the whipping posts of slavery, and in the prisons of oppression. In due time God will publish his reply, but the full end is not yet.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God wants us to pray for our enemies; Silently endure the injustice; Not to seek vengeance; but rather, to Seek the LORD to help us; Expectantly wait upon God for His righteous justice to shine through the dark and dense clouds of evil and brazen injustice.
– “17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” – Romans 12:17-20

May the LORD grant us His grace to hold on to Him, and wait upon Him to help us. May the brazen and blatant injustices that we face, lead us to God, and not away from Him. May we run to Him; fall at His feet, and pour out our anguish and pain, as we wait upon God, to stand by our side, and grant us His righteous justice. Even so the LORD help us.