A Just God! Part 4

Luke 16:19-31

19 “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz′arus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz′arus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz′arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz′arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.’”

 

Thought: When a country is at the brink of war, we have a thousand questions running in our head? Ok thousand may be exaggerating a bit. But no matter questions do arise?

And when the war begins, we read of the devastation taking place, it pains the heart. We feel helpless.

Everybody in a war-torn country, is a victim caught in a hapless situation. People elsewhere in the world, pray. And prayer is a direct approach to God asking/praying for PEACE!

So beautiful a thing, it is when we as a collective join to pray for a common cause – PEACE! Love for our fellow brethren causes us to Pray, and that is so wonderful. Love, Glorious LOVE!

But inspite of all our efforts into prayer, the war continues. And sometimes, the answers don’t seem anywhere close to the horizon.

WHY?

Two people, one rich the other miserably poor, let’s say what little the poor man has, has been usurped by the rich man. And the poor man dies, not in his home. This is an injustice.

There are many so called Christians. All rich and their wealth blinds them to the ways of God.

Now, the question people need to ask of themselves is 'does my prayer stand a chance in the presence of God'?

There are many of us who do wrong to the poor. And that my dear person could very well be our own blood brother or sister. Some people want to help others but when it comes to giving a helping hand to ones own brothers or sisters, that becomes an intolerable question. So hefty donations can be made to XYZ, but helping ones own family is out of the question. 

There are so many instances we could do right, or where we could have been the voice of the poor, the dying, the people in miserable situations, the people who needed some words of encouragement, some hope we could fill someone with, but we turned a blind eye.

We completely failed to love. 

We walked away from many a situation not doing the right thing, even when there was no danger to self, we still failed. 

Sometimes the elderly and helpless are helpless. When people grab things from the old, they are left with nothing, that is plain cruel. What a wicked heart it is that does such a thing. 

When we fail to do the right thing, we become unjust in our ways.

CONCLUSION: 

1Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him,

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

2 He will not cry or lift up his voice,

or make it heard in the street;

3 a bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice.

4 He will not fail or be discouraged

till he has established justice in the earth;

and the coastlands wait for his law.

(Isaiah 42:1-4)

God is Sovereign. God is Holy.

God’s Judgment is consistent with His Love. It is because God loves that He is just. 

Remembering God's faithfulness: 

Our heavenly Father provided our Sacrifice for all times –His Son– as redemption for us all! Jesus paid the debt for us and through Him, Justice has been satisfied. We are to give thanks in all situations and to praise GOD for all that He Is and does.

God alone is JUST!