I recently read a story in
a British newspaper about a string of burglaries that were happening across the
city of Birmingham. In each break-in, the thief was stealing electronics, televisions,
computers, sound systems, etc. The police suspected the same thief was behind
the crimes, but they had no leads.
Until one day, some new
evidence came to light. One of the stolen laptops was equipped with special
tracking technology, like what many iPhones and iPads have. The police were
able to track the stolen laptop by its unique digital signature, as it was
logged into the open wi-fi network at a coffee shop.
But, there was a second
piece of evidence too. In the last burglary, the thief did something very
foolish and cavalier. Before making off with thousands of dollars in
electronics he helped himself to the fridge, opened a water bottle and wet his
whistle before his stealing spree. The thief unknowingly left a thumbprint on
the bottle. The police were able to positively identify the criminal by
tracking him to the coffee shop and then matching his fingerprint with the one
left at the crime scene.[1]
Sometimes, justice is
served swiftly and poetically. God has built into the fabric of this universe
the law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7-8). Sooner or later the wicked will run
out of places to hide. The grapes of wrath will come harvest. Justice delayed
is not justice denied. The Lord has all the incriminating evidence on hand and
the omniscience to render a verdict that is fitting. And as Pro. 21:15
promises, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to
evildoers.”
God is allowing all the
debts of injustice to stack up and one day it will all come due at the return of
Christ (John 5:22; 1 Tim. 4:1). All those who rejected Christ, will have to
stand before him at the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev. 20:1-10). There will
be no appeals in that courtroom! Don’t measure God’s justice by the present,
but take a long-term view—there will be a payday someday. The great consolation
is that justice will roll down from the throne of Christ like a waterfall.
Until then, we ought to be glad that mercy and grace is still available for all
who will repent.
I leave you with the words
of Billy Graham, “A number of years ago I was stopped for driving too fast in a
speed zone, and in the courtroom I pleaded guilty. The judge was not only
friendly but embarrassed for me to be in his court. The fine was ten dollars.
If he had let me go free, it would have been inconsistent with justice. The
penalty had to be paid either by me or someone else! Judgment is consistent
with love. A God of love must be a God of justice. It is because God loves that
He is just. His justice balances His love and makes His acts of both love and
justice meaningful. God could not consistently love men, if He did not provide
for the judgment of evil-doers. We must always look at the cross on the dark
background of judgment. It was because God’s love for man was so intense that
He gave His Son, so that man would not have to face judgment.”[2]
[1]
<http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/thirsty-burglar-caught-after-left-4316275>
[2]
Billy Graham, “A God of Justice,” <https://billygraham.org/devotion/a-god-of-justice/>
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