God of Justice

1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.
3 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
4 He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

5 God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
6 “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
7 You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to anyone else,
nor share my praise with carved idols.
9 Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”

God takes justice very seriously. Through Isaiah, God declares that the Messiah’s purpose on earth is to establish justice—and he will not give up until that work is complete.

We know today that the Messiah described here is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to conquer the power of sin in this world (see John 1-10). He came to bring forgiveness of sins and new life. He came so that we could receive his righteousness and live by it. In following Christ, we are agents of God’s mission in this world.

Our part in God’s mission includes leading people to salvation in Jesus, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, visiting the sick, and encouraging the discouraged. This has historically been the ministry of the church. God brings justice; we point people to the One whom God sent to establish it. In following Christ’s example, we help reveal to the world what Christ came to do as the fulfillment of God’s promise.

There is no shortage of needs in the world. It can be discouraging and overwhelming to consider how much injustice seems to prevail. Yet we cannot let that stop us from taking steps today to join in God’s mission. Let’s not grow impatient either. God isn’t finished yet. In the meantime, we can be involved in a small part of what God has promised, and he will do it. We put our hope in him.

Father, in your plan to bring justice, we thank you for sending your Son. In our work for your justice in this world, give us wisdom and insight. Amen.