WEDNESDAY'S WORD - JUSTICE - 4/21/2021 - Sadell Bradley

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD JUSTICE 4/20/2021   "The dead cannot cry out for justice, it is the duty of the living to do so for them." - Lois McMaster Bujold - American Writer   "Justice is the sum of all moral duty." - William. Goodwin, Former U.S. Representative I did not watch the Derek Chauvin trial, nor did I stand by the TV with bated breath awaiting the verdict. My disappointment at so many other proceedings failing to indict corrupt police officers (there are many good ones), left me only a twinge of hope that justice would prevail. JUSTICE is the quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration or maintenance of law or authority. The personification of Justice is a blind woman holding scales and a sword. I have some thoughts on why justice is seen as a woman, but I'll hold those for now. We've been told that justice is blind, but in case after case in our justice system...it's been looking...and siding with individuals of particular backgrounds. Some remarked they could see the surprise on Derek Chauvin's face when the guilty verdict was delivered on three counts of murder. The fact that Chauvin could be so surprised, and that African-Americans around the world were holding their breath anticipating disappointment and possible rioting despite the fact that the ENTIRE world was an eye-witness to this murder, is very telling. It is sad that it would take that much to gain a conviction, and that we were unsure that even that would do it. I am relieved that God is not a man. (Num. 2319) He is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) His judgments are true and just. (Rev. 19:2) Psalm 89:14 declares, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants." One day, all of us will have to stand before the judgment seat of God and account for the deeds done in these bodies. (2 Cor 5:10) HIS BLOOD STILL SPEAKS In Genesis 4, after Cain killed Abel, the LORD asked him, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain responded, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer to that question both then and now is YES! God means for us to be the guardians of our brothers and sisters. Then God asked him, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out from the ground." (Gen. 4:10) Cain, like Derek Chauvin, denied any wrongdoing, but the Amplified bible says Abel's [innocent] blood was crying out for [justice]. Abel was not a perfect man. If he were, he would not have been giving an offering for his sin at the time when he was murdered. That did not absolve Cain from his punishment for killing him in a jealous rage. God had favored Abel's sacrifice, and denied Cain's, who received a life-sentence for the murder. Cain was banished from the same ground where he killed his brother. He lived as a fugitive and a wanderer. A mark was placed on him so he would not be killed by anyone who found him. Cain, like Derek Chauvin, would have to live with the agony of his decision...Abel, like George Floyd, did not get to live...but their blood still speaks. WE have to reckon with our responsibility to correct a system that too frequently is unjust. Thomas Jefferson said, "I tremble for my Country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."