Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? I tell you; He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf.”
Luke 18:7,8 (BSB).
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I’ve spent many years of my life trying to make sense of how people treat one another. It’s not always been easy, especially when unkind words or actions from others have caused stress. But now, at this stage of my life, I find that I see things more clearly. It’s not that I’m immune to hurt or injustice, but I’ve come to realize that the key lies not in the actions of others, but in how we respond to them.
The core of the issue, I think, is our inherent desire for justice. We all seek it, whether we consciously acknowledge it or not. There’s a quiet principle embedded in us, guiding our lives toward what is right and just. We may not always see it at the moment, but in time, justice has a way of coming to light. It is a principle we can trust—one that has existed long before our individual experiences and continues to shape the course of human history.
The English jurist William Blackstone, many years ago, penned words that resonate deeply with me. He said,
“God has woven into the constitution of every individual a principle which, in its natural state, leads him to seek his own happiness. This is the foundation of the law of nature, and it is through this law that every creature, in accordance with the Creator’s will, is directed to his own well-being.”
What strikes me about Blackstone’s words is the simplicity of the idea—how God has placed within each of us a fundamental drive to seek happiness through goodness, and how this drive aligns with divine law. This is not some abstract notion of justice, but a guiding force that shapes the very nature of human existence. By following this internal compass, we not only improve our own lives but contribute to the order and harmony of creation itself, as intended by the Creator.
It’s easy, in times of trial, to feel that the scales of justice are unbalanced—that the wicked seem to flourish while the just suffer. But I believe the reality is different. It’s only a matter of time. The principle of justice, like the principle of happiness, operates in its own way, often in ways we cannot fully understand in the moment. Some may receive their judgment in this life, in the natural course of things. Others will face it in the future judgment, when all things will be made right.
I find peace in this, not as an excuse to dismiss wrongdoings or to ignore the pain others may cause, but as a reminder that life has its own rhythm. Those who act wickedly will face the consequences, whether sooner or later. That’s the quiet justice of life—a principle deeply embedded in the universe, aligning us with a greater purpose.
So, when faced with unkindness or injustice, I try not to let it consume me. I don’t have to rush to fix the wrongs of others, because ultimately, their actions will be measured by a higher standard than any I could impose. And in the meantime, I can focus on the happiness I’m meant to seek—a happiness rooted in goodness, in striving for my own well-being in alignment with that divine principle. The pursuit of this happiness isn’t just a personal journey; it’s a contribution to the greater order of things, the good that God intended from the start.
In the end, we can trust that justice will be done. We may not see it immediately, but it is there, quietly shaping the world in its own time.
