The other day I was trying to drive close to the speed limit and watch changing speed zones, but a car behind wasn’t as careful. They sped up to go around me when the road expanded to four lanes. However, the speed limit reduced right there (as we entered a small town) and a police pulled them over immediately. My first thought was in thanks to God it wasn’t me and that I saw and slowed down timely. My second thought was that the other driver would have benefited from not being so eager to pass me. 😊
Other
times, when a reckless driver passes me, weaving in and out of other cars, I do
wish they would be caught quickly to end the danger they are bringing to
everyone around them. When someone is harmed by someone else, we often want
justice served quickly and completely. Even the saints in Heaven pleaded for
justice.
Revelation 6:9-11 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer,
until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.
God is Just and will eventually avenge evil. He
patiently and lovingly withholds immediate justice to give people additional
opportunities to repent of their rebellion against Him and turn to follow Him.
II Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead
he is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
In what circumstance are you and I desiring justice? Like the
saints in Heaven, I think it is natural and acceptable to ask God “how long?”. The
saints didn’t say “Please Judge!” or “Will you Judge?” but asked when
will God Judge. Knowing God’s Holy and just character, they knew He would
judge, but it was a matter of when. They asked according to His will.
Jesus is worthy to open the 5th seal and graciously gives
us assurance that our Holy God will bring
justice in His Sovereign time. As we await His justice, we can focus on the
grace and mercy He has already extended to you and me and pray for others to
respond to His opportunities to repent and turn to Him.
