by Shannon Caughey

Coaches and athletes want justice in competitive situations. Officials are supposed to do what is right and fair. Coaches and athletes expect those officiating to make calls that conform with agreed-upon rules and standards. Justice is essential for there to be trust in the competitive process and results.

In a similar way, for us to fully trust the Lord and all he does, we must know that he is just. Already in this series we’ve seen that we can trust God because of his love, power, sovereignty, holiness, and goodness. God’s Word also speaks repeatedly about his justice. Psalm 111:7 declares of God, “The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his instructions are trustworthy.” Speaking of Jesus, the Son of God, Hebrews 1:8 says, “…but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.” The Lord’s judgments are completely fair and right. In all he does, the process and results are just.

In the Bible, God’s justice is closely related to his righteousness. God always does what is right because he always acts in conformity with his perfect moral character. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 proclaims, “Declare the greatness of our God! The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.” Revelation 15:3 echoes these truths about the Lord: “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of the nations.”

In one sense, God’s justice is sobering for us. Because each of us sin against this perfect and holy God, what we deserve is punishment for our rebellion. What would be fair is that we receive God’s righteous wrath against our sin, separating us from him forever. But in his incredible love for us, God sent his Son Jesus to rescue us. On the cross, Jesus—who was without sin—took our place and received the judgment and wrath against sin we deserve. In describing what God through Jesus accomplished for us by his death and resurrection, Romans 3:26 says, “God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Because of our faith in Jesus, God’s justice is now a great comfort for us. When we trust the Lord and his justice, he enables us to better navigate the present injustices of our sin-affected world. As a coach, you come up against situations that are not right or just. Maybe it’s a rival program that operates with a lack of integrity and then has competitive success—and seems to get away with it year after year. Perhaps you have been treated in ways that are not right or fair. In these and other unjust situations, the Bible directs us to work toward correcting injustices. As followers of Christ who are to reflect his character, we are to act for justice and to come to the defense of those treated unjustly.

God’s Word is also clear, however, that because so many in the world rebel against the Lord and his ways, injustice will continue in the present. We may personally suffer because of the unjust choices and actions of others. Yet we have this unshakable hope: our just God will one day set all things right. He will exercise his justice according to his perfect wisdom and timing.

Why trust God? Because he is loving, he is all-powerful, he is sovereign, he is holy, he is good and he is just. Put your confidence in him because all the Lord’s ways are just and true.

For reflection: Take some time to praise God for his justice. Renew your trust in him because he always does what is right and always acts in conformity with his perfect moral character.