Moreover I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)

When Life Is Unjust

The abuse of power has always filled the earth. Wherever sin has resided the greed of evil hearts have subjected the world to a perversion of what is right. Innocent people have been abused, tortured and killed because wicked men had the right of rule. The travesty of unrighteous judgment is meted out in the slaughter of thousands against the defenseless. Instead of fairness and a system of justice men of great power have destroyed the lives of the common man so they can gain a measure of boastful pride and self-indulgence. Life is unfair. It is unjust what some men do to others.

There can be a view of life that blames God for this evil. Every day humanity suffers at the hands of evil men. Where is the Lord in these times of desperation? Does He not see what men do to others? Courts are filled with bribes putting innocent lives in jeopardy. Corporate leaders abscond with millions of dollars leaving families destitute. Laws are enacted that take away basic freedoms. Lying and stealing are the mottos of a world gone awry. In the place of judgment only wickedness resides.

Children of God suffer under the hand of unrighteousness. Being a Christian does not exempt one from suffering. Paul told Timothy to expect travail if he desired to live as a Christian. There are times when injustice is changed and righteousness prevails. But when life is hard and cruel against the lives of the people of God there comes a better day when all accounts are settled. The wisdom of the literature of old reminds us when life is unfair here it will be made right before the throne of God. Nothing is hidden from His sight. It is important for the Christian to view the justice of the Lord as complete and thorough. A wicked man can have his way in this life but he will never have his way before the bar of the Almighty Lord God. Justice will be established on the day of complete judgment.

There is comfort in the teaching of divine judgment. It is easy to be consumed with the sadness of a world filled with unrighteousness. A good man has been sentenced to 27 years in a foreign jail for something he did not do and while he will suffer the consequences of evil in this life his reward is what he will find when the final judgment is passed on evil men. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and His justice is pure and righteous. Once again we learn that living is not about this life but living for the life that is to come. What a day that will be when the judgment of God is passed on wicked men. There is a time there for every purpose and for every work!

Where the beauty and wisdom of the Divine working are most manifested, there also are manifested most clearly the terror of God’s wrath, and inevitableness of His power. (John Ruskin, Modern Painters, IV, 1856)