We don't have to look far for the reminders of how broken our world has become. Isaiah 59 describes it perfectly:
"So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15
Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey."
-Isaiah 59:14-15
The media has given us so many thoughts, opinions, and statistics on these issues. The Supreme Court decision has been a focus of mainstream news networks all weekend. ISIS has made headlines consistently, whether it's killing innocent people, destroying ancient ruins, or endangering rare birds. We've heard the opinions of the world. But what is God's heart on these issues?
This summer, I want to press deeper into the heart of Jesus when it comes to injustice. Over all of these events, I believe there is One seated at the right hand of the Father, who is coming back to restore His Kingdom in righteousness. I believe the words He wrote in Isaiah 59, that, when He saw that there was no justice, He became our Intercessor, and, with His own right arm, restored justice. I believe that the nations are as a drop in a bucket before Him. And I believe that He is not removed from these situations. His word is still alive and moving, and so is His heart toward His creation.
It's so easy to look at the brokenness of our world, and wonder why God is not reaching out to bring restoration. But how quickly do we forget that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ? Are we allowing those hands to reach out, or have we become "Sunday Christians", who praise God with their lips, but not the essence of their lives?
The church is the house of God, but He will not be contained within its walls. God is not limited to a human temple, or the pages of His written word. He is living and active in the world. Christianity was not meant to be restrained and kept within the walls of our congregations. We were called to reach out. We were not called to be of the world, but we were clearly commanded to take the gospel into it.
If you're searching for God, you will not find the fullness of who He is inside the walls of a church, because He is not contained there. His heart is reaching out to the least of these... the broken, the imprisoned, the helpless, the persecuted. He is with the Fatherless, the refugee, the widow, the oppressed. The Strength of the King is justice and He has called His church to stand with Him in fighting for it.
How deeply do we desire to seek His face? He has promised to give to those who ask, to reward those who seek, to answer those who knock. But are we willing to seek Him beyond what is comfortable? Are we willing to love the least of these, as He did?
Do we want the uncreated God of the universe for who He is, or for who we want Him to be? Are we worshiping the God whose image we bear, or have we created a god in our own image? Are you trying to contain God, within the walls of your Christianity? Or are you willing to seek His face, for who He truly is?
When we begin to discover His heart for justice, not only in the text of the Bible, but in the world He created, those divinely inspired words become living and active. He speaks to us, when we seek His face.
There is brokenness beyond the walls of the church...and even within them. There are lost, and it is painful to carry the burdens of His heart for injustice. But there is also hope, beyond imagination.
For the One who calls you is faithful.
"The Strength of the King loves justice
He has established equity
He executes justice and righteousness
through the line of Jacob.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool,
for he is Holy."
-Psalm 99:4-5
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Worship Song:
"Cannot Keep You",
by Gungor
"Cannot Keep You",
by Gungor
