Justice is elusive in my house. With a large family (or any sized family), comes strife. I’ve been trying desperately to instill virtues like respect and kindness into my children’s hearts. At some point, I hope my heart and theirs will be so consumed with love for God that choosing good and doing justice comes naturally.
At first I didn’t notice the thread of justice woven throughout these verses, but the more I let the Word linger, the more richness I found. The richness isn’t in the goods and livestock that burdened Abram and Lot, leading to quarrels and strife. No, the richness lies in Abram’s actions, inspired by his love for God and desire for justice.
As the Psalmist sings “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord,” and Jesus bluntly tells us, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you,” I see that Abram was a just man. Abram knew justice because he knew God. He knew God because he took time to be in His presence, to pray and listen and then to act according to the Love of the One with whom he had a relationship. He spent time in the presence of the Just One, and from his relationship with God flowed his just treatment of others.
Justice seeks fair treatment. It works towards peace. It seeks the good of the other.
Pursuing God’s justice is a journey, not so much unlike Abram’s journey with Lot. Abram, a man faced with strife and quarrels among his kinsmen who sought justice, love, peace. He saw the problem, the burden of their worldly riches, and offered a solution in peace and generosity to Lot. In the end, God blessed Abram.
I long for this justice, too. I long to live in the presence of the Lord, to be counted among the Saints. How narrow the gate is, as Jesus warns, and yet how clear the path to follow when I seek to love others, treat them with kindness, and pursue God’s justice. Then will I have found the greatest treasure: life in the presence of the Lord.
Justice seeks fair treatment. It works towards peace. It seeks the good of the other.Click to tweet
Pray for justice in the lives of those suffering grave injustices today.
Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama, and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.
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