He (Jehoshaphat) appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns, and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case. Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.” 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
Ok, friends! Bible quiz time! Finish the following statement: Wherever two or more are gathered, Jesus says…
There will be drama?
No, that is not what God’s Word says. Let me try again.
Wherever two or more are gathered…
There will be conflict? That is not correct either.
Pain? Agony? Betrayal? Nope. Better go to the source to straighten it out.
I’ve got it!
Matthew 18 is where Jesus says “Where two or three gather as my followers, I (Jesus) am there among them.”
Powerful words from Jesus, but let’s be honest, my alternate endings above are just as likely to be true.
Ugh.
The truth is there is a lot of pain in the world. Pain that would not exist if we were not wired the way we are as human beings. There are countless verses throughout the Scriptures pointing to our need for a savior. You can pick your own and insert it here. Some days we are amazing beacons of light. Others we just cannot seem to pull things together. And as a response, for quite a while God has been working to bring restoration, healing, and hope our way.
At first, it was through a leader named Moses. We did not listen to him.
Then it was through a second covenant and 10 key commands. We didn’t hold up our end of the bargain.
Eventually, God decides to install judges, and that is where today’s reading shows up.
“Remember,” God says to those he would appoint as judges to bring order and justice to the mess humanity had become, “you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord.”
It is interesting to me that God does not just give instructions. He gives a guiding principle. He offers the outcome. Essentially he says when you do not know what to do, think about my heart and my way of doing life and work in accordance with that.
We are called to do the same. We all find ourselves in a position of trying to bring order, justice, and hope to the chaotic world around us. In these moments we have a lot of choices. Will I get the glory? Or will God? Will we go with what my human flesh is desiring? Will we go with whatever works in the short term and is easier?
Or will we go with God’s timeless law that usually does not always prioritize what we may want, but what we need?
God’s plan at this point in the story is for the latter and it would be wise for us to consider a similar tack as we move forward.
This is not easy. That is why God promises his presence to those judges (and us).
But it is good. And it is worth emulating today.
Questions for reflection:
- Where do you see leadership breaking down around you and giving in to what is easy or best for some, rather than difficult yet best for all?
- Where are you asked to step in and help bring justice, unity and peace?
- Where do you need to step in and stand up for something you see in our broken world that does not reflect God’s will for this planet?
- What does it look like to do so with the love and grace of Jesus Christ?