For Which We Stand

Things are really heating up out there. Passions have ramped up nationwide. Tempers are flared, with fists raised at authorities, at society, at each other, at heaven. Many are putting their all into causes and movements they believe are just and good. Others gather to vent their anger and frustrations at life’s injustices in general. And as is common when crowds congregate, hotheads turn up hoping for a piece of the action, the curious to watch the show, and thugs to gain at someone else’s expense.

God has a cause too. His is all about bringing justice and goodness to the nations through the redemptive work of Christ. He rights every wrong by breaking the oppressor’s power. He makes crooked places straight, flings wide prison doors, sets captives free. Blind eyes open, wounds heal. Those who mourn are comforted. Beauty emerges from the ashes and heaviness is replaced with joyful praise. Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O mighty One . . . And in Your majesty ride on triumphantly for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness . . .. [i] 

God’s cause is just because He is just. [ii] The very foundation of His throne is righteousness and justice. So, whether it’s governing the world, redeeming people, or punishing His enemies, He operates under the just standards He decreed. [iii]  

God’s cause is good. Jesus said, Only God is good. [iv] Because God is good, His creation was called good in the beginning because its origin was in Him—with the crowning touch of very good upon the completion of mankind created in His image and likeness.

Then came sin. Satan distorted what God said was good and mankind fell for it. [v] Hearts designed to love God, became dull. Passions shifted toward evil, until man called evil good and good evil. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. . .. [vi]

You can be sure God’s heart is fired up about righting this wrong and bringing restoration. How could He not be? He’s a consuming fire whose love is strong as death, whose jealousy as insatiable and unyielding as the grave. [vii] He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. [viii] 

To a nation already sizzling in the heat of God’s burning heart toward His cause, this is Good News. And bad.  

To the wicked, who in their pride rebel against Him and what He calls just and good, it’s bad news. Really bad news to those who refuse to comply clear up to the end. For behold, the day comes that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud and arrogant, yes, and all that do wickedly and are lawless shall be stubble, the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. [ix]

Not to worry! It’s Good News too. [x] God is merciful and gracious, not willing that any would perish but wants all to come to repentance. He put on flesh and lived among us. Jesus showed us God’s goodness through His actions. He restored justice when He gave Himself at the cross as a ransom for all. Jesus overcame evil with good. [xi] 

God isn’t looking for fresh kindling to burn; He’s looking for branches to graft into His vine—even if He must pluck them from the flames at the last moment. Wouldn’t it be better to live with singed toes than be reduced to a mound of ashes in His fiery furnace? Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. [xii]  

For those who fear His name, the Sun of Righteousness (in the intense heat of His passion) arises with healing in his wings. The fragile and bruised He does not break. Dimly burning wicks, He does not extinguish, but fans them with the breath of His Spirit so Godly passion reignites. Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us . . . and explained the Scriptures to us? [xiii]

His fire prepares hearts for the day of His coming. He takes great care to purify us so when we walk through the fire we will not be burned. [xiv]

It is good that hearts are passionate for what they believe in. It’s our privilege and right as Americans. And it’s our commission as sons and daughters of God. [xv] The foundation for God’s justice and goodness has been laid. Justice has a name. His name is Jesus. [xvi] Is the cause or movement we link arms with to better this nation built on this foundation? Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end. The passion we exert, is it fueled by His zeal? The zeal of Your house consumes me. [xvii]  

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matthew 12:30

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

[i] Matthew 12:17–21 Study Bible; Isaiah 61:1–3; Isaiah 45:2–3, 6–7; Psalm 72:4, 12–14; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Psalm 45:3–4; Isaiah 42:13, 16

[ii] Deuteronomy 32:4

[iii] Psalm 89:14 Gill’s Exposition; Psalm 99:4

[iv] Mark 10:18; Genesis 1

[v] Genesis 3

[vi] Isaiah 59:14–15; Isaiah 5:20

[vii] Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29; Song of Solomon 8:6 Benson Commentary

[viii] Isaiah 42:4

[ix] Genesis 6:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 13:41; John 15:6; Malachi 4:1; Isaiah 66:15–16; Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 3:7; Hebrews 10:27

[x] Luke 2:8–11; Luke 4:43

[xi] 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:2; Colossians 1:15, 19; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14

[xii] John 15:1–8; Romans 11:17–24; Zechariah 3:2; Ezekial 18:23 NLT; Psalm 145:9

[xiii] Matthew 12:20; Malachi 4:2; Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20; Luke 24:32

[xiv] Malachi 3:2–4; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Isaiah 43:2

[xv] Acts 4:29; Matthew 5:15–16; Matthew 10:32

[xvi] Justice Has A Name- song by Tommy Manay

[xvii] Isaiah 9:7; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Romans 12:2, 9; Psalm 69:9; Isaiah 9:7