When There is No Justice

“Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response;

though I call for help, there is no justice.”

~Job 18:7 (NIV).

We’re too easily tricked into thinking God’s got it ‘in’ for us, or at least God’s not defending us, when our circumstances turn pear-shaped. There are clearly times when there is no justice and just how do we contend with those times?

It’s these times that life turns out all too real... numbingly real.

Seclusion in the Moment

About the only thing we can do is absorb of it what we can, but know that protecting ourselves is an appropriate response. Despite our need to scream and vent we pray for an effective way to do same—a way that releases the pent-up anger but protects others at the same time. Besides, it’s our experience with ourselves—in the midst of God—that we’re rightly trying to reconcile.

This truly is between us and God—the world matters less. Well, it’s best if we can keep it that way as much as possible.

Little moments become like hours, in this space.

There’s no way in and there’s no way out—and, yet, we must simply ‘be’. It seems it’s the only thing we can do; to rest besides the trauma that’s taken place. And it could have even been a while ago. This lack of justice recoils back at us time and again, in that chastening voice of déjà vu.

The Blessing – When It Can Be Seen

Later on, however, there’s a blessing. This can be seen. This very event has been the very echo of the making of us. This life has sought to give us something that God knows we’re worthy of.

It’s not because we deserve it, but because God knows we’ll get through it and become stronger and more resilient people as a result, according exactly to the measure of our reliance on God to get us through—in patience and humility. God can, and does, make good of these things if we express faith.

Life is unjust sometimes. We hold on, however, and with God there is a better hope over the horizon.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.