Tuesday June 2, 2015

Read Jeremiah 21:11-14

President Harry S Truman once spoke these words, “The fundamental basis of this nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.”

See more at: http://www.usachristianministries.com/us-history-quotes-about-god-and-the-bible/#sthash.NTMtPoq9.dpuf

Truman recognised that justice was a pivotal foundation of his (and every other) nation. Without true and fair justice a nation fails to exist and sows seeds of its own imminent destruction.

When Jeremiah approached the royal house of Judah (see v 11) he was told to speak to them regarding justice.

Jeremiah 21:11–12

11 “Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the LORD; 12 O house of David, this is what the LORD says: “ ‘Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it.”

Why would God send Jeremiah to preach words of justice? In Judah the priests were robbing God and taking the offering meant for Him. The traders and temple sellers were using unjust scales to profit themselves. The poor were oppressed and nobody represented or concerned themselves with their interests. The prophets spoke lies to the people to deceive them.

Throughout Scripture we see that God is a God of justice and mercy. Isaiah 61:8 puts it succinctly

“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity…”

And in Micah 6:8 we are told to act justly and to love mercy.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

This call for justice is first and foremost a call to our rulers and power holders to act with justice, to avoid perverting justice and to avoid showing unfair favouritism. It is a call for them to make laws that are fair and just. It is a call for them to administer and maintain a fair judicial system.

But it’s also a call for each one of us to make sure that we are walking and acting justly as well. Each and every believer can be an advocate for justice by taking up the needs and concerns of the less fortunate and needy. Each year in Australia there are 70,000–80,000 abortions, many of which occur in non life threatening situations. God wants us to stand up and to speak up for the rights of these yet to be born children. We also have around 105,000 homeless people in Australia. Walking in justice means providing refuge for these people and blessing them with decent shelter. There are a multitude of women and children who suffer domestic violence each year. Different groups estimate the cost of domestic violence at approximately $13b each year. Someone needs to stand up for the rights of these people.

We can add to our list the poor and needy, the suffering, those who are without needed medical treatment, those who have been unjustly tried and convicted in the courts and so on.

God calls His people to be a people of justice, a people who love justice and mercy. How will you stand up for justice?

Prayer:

Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Pray that God would continue to raise up believers to stand up against the injustice of abortion, homelessness, domestic violence, corruption and so on.

· Pray that God would use you and your cell in one of these areas that you have prayed about.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What can a cell group do to stand against the injustice of

                 a. abortion?

                 b. homelessness?

                 c. domestic violence?

2. Should Christians support non Christian organisations that stand up against injustice? Support your answer.