<\/p>\n
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
(Psalm 103:10)<\/p>\n
SOMETIMES WE FEEL THAT LIFE HAS NOT REPAID US FOR THE EFFORT WE\u2019VE PUT FORTH. We know that we\u2019ve made some mistakes, but even so, we feel that there\u2019s an unfair difference between what we\u2019ve given and what we\u2019ve gotten in return. And so we cry to God for justice. We appeal to Him to set the record straight \u2014 and make up for the blessings that life has withheld from us.<\/p>\n
Well, it is certainly true that in specific instances we may have been wronged and justice has not been forthcoming. In such cases, the instruction of the Scriptures is clear: \u201cTherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator\u201d (1 Peter 4:19). When real injustice has been committed, it is right to make a heartfelt plea for vindication: \u201cHow long, O Lord . . . until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?\u201d (Revelation 6:9-11).<\/p>\n
But before we pray for God\u2019s justice, most of us need to think twice. However wrongfully we may have been treated in particular situations, if all the evidence bearing on our lives were to be brought into the courtroom, it would be seen that, on the whole, the injustices we\u2019ve suffered<\/em> don\u2019t add up to the injustices we\u2019ve committed.<\/em> We may have been mistreated here and there, but all things considered, if we\u2019ve been shortchanged, it\u2019s in the area of punishment rather than blessing. David had grievous enemies against whom he had legitimate complaints, but David also knew that the larger truth was this: God \u201chas not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.\u201d<\/p>\n God is a God not only of justice but also of patience. Most of us would say we\u2019re glad that He\u2019s been patient with us personally, punishing us less than we deserve. But if God chooses to be patient with those who\u2019ve wronged us, punishing them less than they deserve, shouldn\u2019t we be grateful for that too? And besides, in some cases we may not even have been wronged. As the Lord sees things, our enemies may have a better argument than we do.<\/p>\n \u201cCould it be that you deserve the unpleasantness you are now experiencing? Did you bring it on yourself? If you are in any way to blame then you should patiently endure the pain\u201d (Lawrence Scupoli).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n