His Justice

His Justice

For several years radio stations have broadcast the proceedings of court cases. Commonest of these broadcasts have been those of traffic courts, and the principle of such broadcasts has been hotly debated. A Chicago judge spoke out against the practice, quoting some pertinent figures in support of his argument. In one court, of those tried when proceedings were not broadcast, 31.6% were convicted; of those tried during broadcasts, 87.5% were convicted. The average fine when there was no broadcast was $10.63, but when the judge had a radio audience, the average fine was $36.25.

The conclusion from these figures is most interesting. The judge, instead of judging according to principle of justice, was judging for effect. This may be called "justice," but it is human, fickle, and in reality, unjust. The increase in convictions and the heavier fines before a radio audience are indicative of the fact that the judge did not care as much for the high principles of law when he was alone with his conscience as when he realized that he was not only judging, but being judged by other people.

When God judges, He judges according to the principles that are inherent in Himself. He will "by no means clear the guilty" (Num. 14:18). Though He will pardon freely those whose debt has been paid by His Savior Son, "He repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them; he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face" (Deut. 7:10). He "regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" (Deut. 10:17). "He hath prepared his throne for judgment; and he shall judge the world in righteousness. He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness" (Ps. 9:7, 8). "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25).

The Psalms are, in large part, filled with praise to God, and it is remarkable to note how often the righteousness of God's forthcoming judgment is the reason for praise to God. It is noteworthy that He calls upon the whole universe to witness His judgment. "Our God shall come and shall not keep silence. . . . He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself" (Ps. 50:3-6).

Unlike the radio judge, the Lord God would administer righteous judgments with or without witnesses. He tells us, however, that there will be witnesses, and His character draws us on to long for His speedy return and His just judgment.

1. If God is a just and fair judge, is it then okay for us to question what happens here on earth, things like death and disease?
2. How can we daily find beauty in the justice of God?