As the Day of the Lord draws near, there will be an increase in wickedness and believers will go through all kinds of persecutions and trials. It will not be easy for believers to live. In fact, the apostle Paul warned Timothy of this truth when he said, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). Those who do not go through persecution because of their faith should rethink whether they are believers or not. The devil will not persecute those who are on his side. He will come with all kinds of accusations to oppress believers, hoping that they will turn back. But the apostle Paul said, “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels” (2 Thes. 1:6-7)
When we are persecuted, it is best that we do not fight back. We can only do so much to defend ourselves. But if we entrust our case to the Lord, he will defend us to the fullest. Again, the apostle Paul said, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). Let God do the work of defending us. He will pay back trouble to those who trouble us. He will do an “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” revenge for us. If we do not see the oppressors being paid back now in this life, there is a future judgment where they shall be punished and this will be “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.”
God is just. God is our judge that judges fairly. He does not play favourites. As far as God is concerned, “anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism” (Col. 3:25). When the apostle Paul said “anyone” this meant that regardless of who sinned, they would be paid back even if they were God’s own chosen people. This is the reason the apostle further said, “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile . . . For God does not show favouritism” (Rom. 2:9-11). Even the prophet Ezekiel had to emphasize that “the one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child” (Ezekiel 18:20).
As a just God, he understands that we are frail and will not let us go through difficulties that we are unable to handle. The Psalmist said, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). Even the Lord Jesus Christ noted the weakness of our flesh when he spent time with the disciples in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane. While he instructed his disciples to pray, he later found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matt 26:40-41). With this knowledge of our weakness, the Lord provides a way out in times of troubles. Even if we sin, he gives a provision for restoration, as emphasized by the apostle John when he said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In his justice, God exercises his sovereignty. He is not bound by man’s judgement or perceptions. The apostle Paul presented this truth saying, “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion’” (Rom 9:14-15). Some would question God’s judgment as being unfair, as they compare themselves with others. However, the Lord makes judgments based not only on man’s actions but the motivation of the heart and on his sovereign will.
God’s judgment can be trusted. Even his words are trustworthy. In his Psalm, King David said, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). He upholds his standards of righteousness regardless of our condition in life. We can always count on him for fairness. Even his chosen people had to be disciplined for their wayward deeds. The ruins of the temple in Jerusalem are a testament that the Word of the Lord can be trusted. When he warned King Solomon that though the temple he built was imposing, it will become a byword and an object of ridicule if Israel will choose to worship other gods. And because Israel drifted away from God, the temple was destroyed and became a byword even to this day. This proves that God is just. Therefore, let us heed all the commands of the Lord and avail of his justice. He will not leave us nor forsake us. Hallelujah!