Joel M Bradshaw

16Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.–Ecclesiastes 3

It’s easy to look at our world and see much injustice. When one might expect the right thing being done, the wrong thing is done and vice versa. This can bring much frustration. So Qoheleth did something very important. He addressed his thought life with a key perspective. Even though injustices happen and life is sometimes profoundly immoral or unfair, God will one day handle his business. This is the basic understanding of a great self-talk arrow to have ready in your quiver.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

When I say that verse to myself (sometimes many times a day), I insert HE IS rather than the I AM. The original context is God speaking. I don’t want to tell myself that I am God. So I recommend quoting the verse with HE IS. It’s helpful to remind yourself that even though some things in this world are not good, God is still good and he will one day fully address all matters. As Qoheleth reminded us above, God will make time for every matter and work.

The New Testament reminds us again and again of this future reality.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36)

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Romans 14:12)

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

Qoheleth reminded himself of the reality of God as ultimate Judge. It gave him perspective. Live your life as one who will one day give an account before God. Take comfort in times of injustice that unrepentant villains will be fully dealt with by God. You may never see justice in this world, but God is just and he handles his business. In the meantime, we are to be still in our hearts and trust Him.–JMB