IS A GOD OF JUSTICE:
VICTIMS or VICTORS, Part 1
EVILS, UNFAIRNESSES, AND INJUSTICES
“... they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV). “… the most mighty men ...[bound]... Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and ...cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3). “...the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house ...they are dead...” (Job 1:13-20 NIV). “...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...[and]... Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV). “...they smote him with their hands… they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. y…” (John 19:1-16 KJV). “...And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD...” (Job 1:12 KJV),
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There is no GREATER struggle, for a child of God, than to maintain that God is a God of JUSTICE, than when they FEEL or have real-life experiences as VICTIMS of evils, unfairnesses, or injustices.
A VICTIM is someone who SUFFERS from or is HARMED by events or actions that are violent, destructive, injurious, heart-breaking, and life changing.
These events and actions are OUT of the person’s control, have disrupted normal life, and have turned the victim’s life UPSIDE down.
These events or actions also have caused GREAT hurt and have changed the course of the victim’s life. These events or actions that hurt and change the course of people’s life can also IMPACT normal life, in a MAJOR way, spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally.
Hurtful and life-changing events and actions can cause a DIASPORA for some victims, which drastically changed the direction and location of their lives forever.
God’s children go through these experiences too where, they face terrible deaths of family and friends, unfair treatments, divorce, unexpected sicknesses or disease, evil people, stock market crashes, lost jobs, injustices, hunger, sudden tragedies, fiery furnaces, lion dens, prison, etc.
ARE GOD’S CHILDREN “simply” VICTIMS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE? “…But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo ... we (including Apostle Paul) gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … ” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
“... they brought Daniel (God’s prophet) and threw him into the lions’ den ...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).
“… the most mighty men ...[bound]... Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego [God’s servants], and ...cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).
“...the Sabeans attacked and made off with them (job’s stuff)...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters (job’s) were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house ...they are dead...” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
... they stript Joseph [who was called of God]... out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph (AS A SLAVE) to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt... [Later]...Potiphar’s wife ... began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused ...Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story [which was “not” true]... about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained (A PRISONER)...” (Genesis 39 NIV).
“...he proceeded to seize Peter (one of God’s righteous servants) also ...[and]... Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
“...Then Pilate therefore took Jesus [God’s only begotten SON], and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands… they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them...Away with him, away with him, crucify him...And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV).
Every one of these LIVES were seriously disturbed by a variety of events and actions and nothing was NORMAL anymore. It is INSIDE these moments and experiences that God’s children WONDER or QUESTION God as a God of JUSTICE. HOW or WHY does God, the Holy Spirit, ALLOW his “own” children to EXPERIENCE these HORRIBLE things?
“…But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo ... we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … ” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). Apostle Paul, the centurion, the staff, and the prisoners literally experienced the hurricane. The ship was caught up in the storm, driven by the wind, and NO BODY could control, secure, or stabilize the boat. The victims, including Apostle Paul, on the boat, experienced days of darkness where they DID NOT see, with their natural eyes, the sun or stars for days and went without food. It must have been scary and frightening. They thought they were DOOMED.
One of the reasons God may have allowed the men to go through this is to demonstrate the importance of listening to and keeping God’s commandments. “...Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice [from God, the Holy Spirit]...not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss...” (Acts 27:21 NIV).
“...But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
Daniel was devoted to God and EVIL PEOPLE were jealous of him and plotted EVIL, UNFAIRNESS, and INJUSTICE against him.“...All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute ... [and]... king Darius signed the writing and the decree...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
“...whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...” (Daniel 6:5-10 KJV).
“... [Daniel]... went into his house ...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime....” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV). “...they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).
One of the reasons God may have allowed Daniel to go through this was to demonstrate that even though his children FACE unfairness and injustices, his FAVOR will shield them. “...In the world ye shall have tribulation...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows..." (John 16:44 NLT). “…You (God, the Holy Spirit) surround [your children] WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
“…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).. “…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
“…TRUST in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).
“...the God of Daniel ... is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom ...which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions....” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV). God “…. delivered [DANIEL] ... out of all [his] ... trouble…” (Psalms 54:7 KJV).
Then, “… the most mighty men ...[bound]... Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and ...cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3). The Hebrew Boys had STOOD upon God’s WORD and yet God allowed them to literally be THROWN into the fiery furnace. How SCARY was that?
God’s Word GOVERNED the Hebrew Boys behavior. “...Thou shalt have no other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV).
The HEBREW BOYS were threatened. “...if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
“...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
One of the reasons God may have allowed the Hebrew Boys to go through this was to demonstrate that even though his children FACE unfairness and injustices, they are to choose to KEEP his commandments. The Hebrew Boys kept his commandment and continued to trust and depend upon him no matter what happened to them. However, God, the Holy Spirit, was WITH THEM, kept them SAFE, and DELIVERED them.“... DID NOT WE CAST THREE MEN BOUND INTO THE MIDST OF THE FIRE? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD ... Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ... upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him ...there is no other God that can deliver after this sort…” (DANIEL 3).
“… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer...” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…I the LORD am thy Saviour...” (Isaiah 60:16 KJV).
Next there was JOB. “...the Sabeans attacked and made off with them (job’s stuff)...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house ...they are dead...” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
One of the reasons God may have allowed JOB to go through this was to demonstrate that NO MATTER how spiritually mature his children THINK they are, they STILL need to continue to GROW and DEVELOP spiritually. “..Then Job replied...“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you (he grew more respectful of God’s sovereignty)...” (Job 42:1, 6 NLT).“...now I have seen you with my own eyes (he grew in revelation knowledge)....” (Job 42:1,6 NLT). “...I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance (he grew in humility)...” (Job 42:1,6 NLT).“… grow in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… Amen...” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV).
It is clear, in the book of Job, that Satan cannot do anything to God’s children, without permission from God, the Holy Spirit. “..And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12 KJV). “..And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life...” (Job 2:9 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, PROTECTED Job’s LIFE and did NOT let Satan “…do [his life]... wrong...” God has said: “….touch not mine anointed (his righteous children who are set apart for his service) and do…[them] no harm...” (Psalm 105:14-15 KJV).
Yet, “...The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD...” (Job 1:12 NIV). “...All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him ...” So Satan left the LORD’s presence....” (Job 1:12 NLT). “...Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD...” (Job 1:12 NASB). “...And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah...” (Job 1:12 ASV).
The bible says: “…a man's (woman’s) life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he (she) possesseth…” (Luke 12:15 KJV).When Job’s earthly wealth, prosperity, family, physical well-being, and possessions were gone, the devil thought Job would SURELY stop SERVING God, the Holy Spirit.
“...And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life...” (Job 2:9 KJV). Life is often interchanged, in the study of the scriptures, for SOUL. “…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he (she) shall gain the whole world, and lose his (her) own soul (LIFE)?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV).
Satan tried to PROVE that Job, like so many of God’s children, today, ONLY serve HIM for the BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS and GIFTS. “...Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).
Job OPENLY expressed his opinion about his personal “trials and tribulations”. “…Shall we (God’s children) accept good from God, and not trouble?...” (Job 2:10 NIV). No MATTER what is LOST or GAINED, God’s children continue to LOVE and TRUST him. “…[They are to] ...love the Lord [their] ...God with all [their] ...heart and with all [their]... soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27 KJV).
“…a man's (woman’s) life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he (she) possesseth…” (Luke 12:15 KJV). “…Anyone who wants to be [God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus’]... follower must love [him] far more than he (she) does his (her) own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his (her) own life—otherwise he (she) cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever...” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
“... I desire you more than anything on earth...” (Psalm 73:23-26 NLT). “….everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [my]… Lord...” (Philippians 3:8 NLT). “...I ...belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever...” (Psalm 73:23-26 NLT). “...Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever...” (Psalm 73:25-26 KJV). “... I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you...” (Psalm 16:2 NLT).
For a SHORT time, especially compared to ETERNITY, God’s people may experience “trials, tribulations, and testing,” but can REMAIN peaceful, calm, and dependent upon God, the Holy Spirit. “…I have learned to be CONTENT whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
“… I can do (be CONTENT in the midst of) all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “… The Lord is my shepherd; I SHALL not want. … …” (Psalms 23 KJV). “…All things [are NOT good, but they]... work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV). “….all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come…” (Job 14:14 KJV).
“…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [his children’s need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “[God] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (2 Corinthians 12 NLT).
“...Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?...” (Matthew 16:25-26 MSG). “...For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?...” (Matthew 16:25-26 NIV).
Satan told God, the Holy Spirit: “…strike everything [Job]... has, and he will surely curse you to your face?…” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).
Job knew “... Every good thing...[he had came]... from [God, the Holy Spirit]...” (Psalm 16:2 NLT). Job said, “…Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord…” Job 1:20-22 NASB).
Job also said, “...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV). “…Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God…” (Job 1:20-22 NASB).
“...The steps of a good man (woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his (her) way” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “..though he slay me (or it feels like HE’S killing me), yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV). Satan “…intended to harm [Job,], but God intended it for ...[Job’s]...good...” Genesis 50:20 NIV).
“…The plans [God has]…for [his children are]… plans to prosper [them] and not to harm [them]...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love does NO HARM to his neighbor …” (Romans 13:10 NASB). “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man (woman), the things which God hath prepared for them that love him...” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).
Let’s take a look at JOSEPH. “... they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph (AS A SLAVE) to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt... [Later]...Potiphar’s wife ... began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused ...Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story [which was “not” true]... about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained (A PRISONER)...” (Genesis 39 NIV).
One of the reasons God may have allowed JOSEPH to go through slavery and prison was to demonstrate that DETOURS and DELAYS serve the purpose of discipline and preparation for the CALLING on the lives of God’s children. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream … and his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).
ONE DAY HIS BROTHERS“...sold Joseph (AS A SLAVE) to the Ishmeelites... [and later]...Joseph ...[was thrown]... into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained (A PRISONER for years)...” (Genesis 39 NIV). “….All things [are NOT good, but they]... work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” (Hebrews 13:5 & ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
“...If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV). “….For whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH…” (Proverbs 3:12 KJV).
YEARS later, “...Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” … Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV).
Joseph said to his brothers, who had been unfair and unjust to him: “…ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” (Genesis 50:20 KJV). “...Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).
In the New Testament, HEROD “...proceeded to seize Peter also ...[and]... Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
One of the reasons God may have allowed PETER to be LOCKED up was to demonstrate HOW the POWER of PRAYER can accomplish a LOT when, his children, trust and depend upon God to ANSWER. “...[At]... the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, ... many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!...” (Acts 12:12-14 NIV).
“...The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
“...Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit SAYS: “….call upon me …and pray unto me and I will [LISTEN] unto you…” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV). “...I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you...” (Hosea 14:5-9 NASB).
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