{"id":779,"date":"2011-05-22T01:35:19","date_gmt":"2011-05-22T06:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/markdroberts\/?p=779"},"modified":"2015-03-13T15:39:20","modified_gmt":"2015-03-13T20:39:20","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-is-it-right-to-rejoice-when-injustice-is-avenged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/markdroberts\/2011\/05\/22\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-is-it-right-to-rejoice-when-injustice-is-avenged\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from the High Calling: Is It Right to Rejoice When Injustice Is Avenged?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Is It Right to Rejoice when Injustice is Avenged?<\/h2>\n

Psalm 58:1-11<\/a><\/p>\n

The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.
\nThey will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.<\/p>\n

Psalm 58:10<\/a><\/p>\n

A few days ago, the United States military killed Osama bin Laden, a mass murderer who was plotting the death of innocent people throughout the world. For many, their immediate response to the death of bin Laden was rejoicing. Some took to the streets with placards celebrating the death of the arch-terrorist and victory for the U.S.A. This response unsettled many, including Christians in the United States and throughout the world. How can we rejoice, some asked, when Jesus forgave those who crucified him? Celebrants defended their actions by pointing to biblical verses such as Psalm 58:10: \u201cThe godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this short reflection, I don\u2019t have the space to delve deeply into the questions raised by the death of bin Laden and the celebrations that ensued. So I will offer a couple of observations of a more personal nature. First, we must read Psalm 58 carefully and in context. The language of this psalm is foreign to us, but common in the ancient world. The theological point it conveys is that justice and injustice matter both to God and to godly people. In time, God\u2019s justice will prevail and injustice will be avenged. This is God\u2019s responsibility (Rom. 12:19). When divine justice wins and injustice is judged, we rightly rejoice.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s where things get more complicated for Christians. We easily rejoice when we see the injustice of others condemned, but what about our own unrighteousness? My sin may not be as obviously terrible as the sins of others. I may not have planned the death of thousands of innocent people, but I have sinned and I fall under God\u2019s righteous judgment. This is not a cause for rejoicing, but grieving. However, thanks be to God, my guilt is not the end of the story.<\/p>\n

You see, the good news is that God has taken my sin upon himself in Christ. Christ has borne the judgment that I deserve. Thus, when I gaze upon the cross, I see injustice avenged, my injustice as well as that of the world. Should I rejoice over the death of Jesus? On the one hand, I am horrified by his suffering. Yet, on the other hand, I do rejoice in his love, grace, and mercy. But my rejoicing in not in the form of \u201cFinally, the unjust one gets his due.\u201d Rather, my rejoicing says, \u201cAmazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, didst die for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:<\/strong> In what ways do you think it is appropriate for us to rejoice when injustice is avenged? How does the cross of Christ impact your thoughts about this matter?<\/p>\n

PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n

And can it be that I should gain
\nAn interest in the Savior\u2019s blood?
\nDied He for me, who caused His pain\u2014
\nFor me, who Him to death pursued?
\nAmazing love! How can it be,
\nThat Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?<\/p>\n

\u2019Tis mystery all: th\u2019Immortal dies:
\nWho can explore His strange design?
\nIn vain the firstborn seraph tries
\nTo sound the depths of love divine.
\n\u2019Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
\nLet angel minds inquire no more.<\/p>\n

He left His Father\u2019s throne above
\nSo free, so infinite His grace\u2014
\nEmptied Himself of all but love,
\nAnd bled for Adam\u2019s helpless race:
\n\u2019Tis mercy all, immense and free,
\nFor O my God, it found out me!<\/p>\n

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
\nFast bound in sin and nature\u2019s night;
\nThine eye diffused a quickening ray\u2014
\nI woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
\nMy chains fell off, my heart was free,
\nI rose, went forth, and followed Thee.<\/p>\n

No condemnation now I dread;
\nJesus, and all in Him, is mine;
\nAlive in Him, my living Head,
\nAnd clothed in righteousness divine,
\nBold I approach th\u2019eternal throne,
\nAnd claim the crown, through Christ my own.<\/p>\n

Amazing love! How can it be,
\nThat Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Can It Be\u201d by Charles Wesley (public domain)<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/em> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is It Right to Rejoice when Injustice is Avenged? Psalm 58:1-11 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Psalm 58:10 A few days ago, the United States military killed Osama bin Laden, a mass murderer who was plotting the death of innocent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7933],"tags":[1208,21642,9040],"class_list":["post-779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-inspiration-high-calling","tag-injustice","tag-inspiration-high-calling","tag-rejoicing"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from the High Calling: Is It Right to Rejoice When Injustice Is Avenged?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is It Right to Rejoice when Injustice is Avenged? Psalm 58:1-11 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. 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