GOD’S CHARACTER – “RIGHTEOUS AND JUST”

David, writing Psalm 103, pens something deep about the character or the nature of God.
– “6 The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” – Psalm 103:6-7

What David writes in verse six is not only deep and profound, but is something that the Bible speaks about very clearly and unambiguously,. throughout its pages. God of the Bible, “…executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” I don’t know if you have noticed – it doesn’t say “God executes righteousness and justice to only His people.” It is important for us, as Christians, to know the character of God, and how He works. God’s dealings are universal. He is concerned about everyone. He longs to be just and fair, to all the people in the world; not just the “Chosen Ones.”

Let us read a few more Scriptures, for us to gain a deeper understanding of who the God of the Bible is, and what is His nature; and how does He conduct Himself in this world.
– “16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:16-19
– “23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches. 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 9:23-24

There are two things that we learn about God.
– Righteous and justice are the bedrock principles on which the LORD operates. He is altogether fair and just.
– God of the Bible is the God of the whole earth, and not just a ‘miniscule’ group of chosen people.

His righteousness and justice, is for all the inhabitants of the world. If a Christian oppresses a non-Christian, GOD WILL NOT IGNORE IT, just because he doesn’t believe in the God of the Bible. He will exact justice on behalf of that unbeliever, from the one who claims to be a Christian. This is being righteous and just.
– “8 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’” – Zechariah 7:8-10

Because Israel, the “Chosen People of God” refused to obey their God, it resulted in their scattering, and their captivity. The same principle applies to us, the Christians.
– “11 “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 13 Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts. 14 “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” – Zechariah 7:11-14

The above Scriptures goes on to prove, how serious God is, about righteousness and justice, for all the inhabitants of the world. God expects us, as His chosen people, to obey Him, and follow Him. He wants His children to be righteous, fair and just, in all our conduct – our thoughts, words and deeds – with everyone, regardless of who they are – Christians or not.
– “5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.” – Romans 2:5-11

How are we faring dear friends? Would God Almighty, the One who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light, find us walking in His light? Would God see His righteousness and justice being obeyed in us, and practiced in all our dealings? May we seek to think, speak and do, just like our God. Even so, the LORD help us.