God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you….on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thessalonians 1:6&10
Last night found me and my lady out at the movies. It isn’t a place we frequent, but it was cheap night at the theater (surprise, surprise) and it seemed the thing to do. The flick was fine, but it required ignoring the excessive noises that seem to be part and parcel with the theater-going experience these days. The family next to us must have bought out the snack shack with every crinkly kind of candy bag and wrapper known to man. But this was nothing compared to a whole row whose sound effects resounded throughout the movie for the whole theater to hear, from a 2-year-old’s screams (this wasn’t a kid’s movie), to endless chattering that included a few vulgar exclamations. It was for this reason I told my lady, when we’d returned to our car, “remind me of this the next time I think I want to go to the movies.” Honestly, more frustrating than the distraction is how it reflects a general lack of consideration in society that seems to increase with every passing year. Common courtesy is an oxymoron. We give too little thought about the people around us in the way we speak and act. Worst of all, I know that I, myself, am guilty of these very trespasses. But it got me to thinking—as annoying as such things may be, they are nothing compared to the evils that so many in our world are facing even as I type these words, whether it’s children sold into slavery or tribal violence perpetrated against the innocent or ceaseless persecution of those preaching the Gospel in closed countries or abused and mistreated women and children or the murder of the unborn. Here is evil. Here is tragedy that breaks your heart. It is in the face of such realities that the promise of divine payback in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 is so potent. How we long for justice to roll down like a river (Amos 5:24). And it is comforting to know that one day our God will right all wrongs. This brings comfort not only because we know that justice will be accomplished, but because we know that it isn’t up to us to see it done. Certainly, we all should do our part to fight on behalf of “the widow and the orphan.” And there are times when we have unique opportunities to speak out against injustice. But in a sue-happy world where we all feel that we are victims deserving of vindication, we who follow Jesus must remember God’s words, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deut. 32:35a). No doubt, our culture can relate more easily to fictional “Avengers” setting things right. But we can find rest knowing that there is a Divine, All-Powerful, Perfectly Just Avenger who will see that perfect justice is accomplished when all is said and done. Yet, just as powerful as the hope of divine retribution, is the hope of the glorious revealing of our Lord at His return. What a beautiful picture…that those who trust in Jesus, who are counted among God’s holy people through Christ’s sin-conquering death, will have the privilege of celebrating His awe-inspiring return. What better word to describe it than marvelous!?! It is this picture that helps to put life’s injustices in perspective. Whether it’s the annoyance of inconsiderate behavior or the evil of substantial harm against fellow human beings, we know that these things are not the final word. Jesus is coming back. JESUS IS COMING BACK! Jesus is reigning even at this moment and soon, and very soon, the Father will make His enemies a footstool under His feet, an Old Testament promise that is repeated four times in the New Testament. Here is our hope…not in government reform, not in man’s militias, not in courtroom litigation, not in road rage/revenge, not in clever comebacks that put my opponent in his place, not in bitter gossip (even if it is true), not in social media rants. It isn’t that we shouldn’t “get up, standup” at times to defend what is right. But we must remember that it is not man’s justice that matters most…but God’s justice. It is not what man thinks that matters most…but God’s judgment. And our hope does not ultimately reside in our ability to accomplish what we think is right…our hope resides in the glorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We long for that day. We long for His return. We long for Him to make all things right and new. But until that day, let us pray that we will increasingly live life in view of His return, and in view of our holy calling to point people to Him. Let us learn to let God be God and trust in His justice. Let us not be perpetrators of evil or inconsiderate deeds and words, but let us live in a manner that brings glory to His name both in the here and now and at His glorious, final revelation and reign. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22:20b)
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Dan GannonDan has ministered at Renton Bible Church, with his wife Debbie, since 2003. Archives
June 2022
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