Speeds The Cause Of Righteousness

Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the mount of Daughter Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

“Make up your mind,” Moab says. “Render a decision. Make your shadow like night— at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.”

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16:1-5

Folks in Colorado have not had it easy. Last year they had fires near Colorado Springs. This year they had floods. Last year they asked God to show mercy and send rain without lightning, which they feared would start even more fires.

Fire and water are interesting. We use fire to heat our homes. We use water for drinking. Too much or too little of either one can kill us.

With water we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but we could also drown.

With fire, we cook with it. We heat our homes with it. But if left to burn without control, we have seen what happens.

We see the same principle at work spiritually. To thrive civilizations need the seemingly opposite qualities of mercy and justice. Jesus scolded the Pharisees for being sticklers of the law, but neglecting things they should be concerned with.

We may lean toward justice or mercy, but Jesus keeps them in perfect balance. His death satisfies God’s need for justice and our need for mercy.

God’s justice and mercy met at the cross.

Our Daily Bread – September 27, 2013