In this year’s season of Elul we have attempted as a group, and also as individuals, to draw closer to God through prayer, study,, and meditation.
ELUL MEDITATION FOR DAY 21 – JUSTICE AND TRUTH
As we approach the Days of Awe, The Feast of Trumpets, and The Day of Atonement, we are considering how closely our lives reflect and follow God’s will and God’s ways.
Our goal is to look back over the past year of our lives. With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, we want to change and/or correct what we now see as things we did in sin, temptation or error.
Each year in the season of Elul those following the Hebraic calendar do this in preparation for the Fall Holy Days. These meditations and studies help us to walk through times of reflection, repentance and turning. We are getting ready for many things. First, we are getting ready to be better followers of Yeshua and better worshipers of YHVH. Also, we are nearing the end of the Hebraic calendar year. The Feast of Tabernacles is coming. It is a season of joy. You can’t have joy if your life is out of tune with God’s ways. Last, but probably most important, we are preparing for the wedding feast Our Father is planning for us when Yeshua returns for us. There will be a great wedding in heaven. We will come back to earth to rule and reign with Yeshua as King of all Kings. This preparation prepares our hearts for our groom, but it also prepares our hearts for a royal rulership that will replinish and restore this earth from the sins of mankind forever.
The Jewish people call this examination of our hearts and minds with repentance and turning “Teshuva.”
All of the pages of the Old Testament point to shadows and types of Yeshua as Messiah. The New Testament confirms the truth of it all. We believe in Yeshua as Messiah. You might say we do “Teshuva” from a Christian perspective.
A CHRISTIAN FORM OF TESHUVA
Already, through the first days of Elul, we have examined the details and looked at all of God’s Ten Commandments. In the course of our studies we have considered how these commandments are being kept within the days of our own personal lives.
The question is asked from each heart; “Am I walking in God’s way with all that I do in my life?”
For ten days now, if we looked and found ourselves wanting and needing to change before entering the next civil year of the Hebraic calendar, we’ve meditated, examined, repented, prayed and asked God to help us to turn around. Our hearts know the Ten Days of Awe are approaching. We are preparing for the next holy sacred year of life under God’s ways.
A TIME TO GROW IN GOD’S GRACE
This is a wonderful time of growing closer to God. It is all about reaching out and receiving His grace, love and healing. The Jewish people say “The King is in the field.” This phrase is symbolically expressing that God is paying close attention to His people who are wanting to draw closer. He is looking over the harvest. YHVH is noticing those who desire to work with Him in The Kingdom of God.
Now that we have covered a simple and brief study of The Ten Commandments, we are moving into consideration of other ways we can grow closer and closer to God. This is timely and important as He leads us into a new and exciting year. Once we are clear to how we should be following the commandments, there are other things to consider which will attribute to us growing closer and closer to God. One of those ways includes knowing and understanding the attributes of God’s nature. In meditating upon these attributes, we hope to learn how our own lives can better reflect these attributes of God. It is our place to be His image bearer to the world.
Of course God is perfect in all of his ways (yet another attribute.) In comparrison, we are only human. There is no way our own natures will ever equal or measure up to God’s nature. However, the point is that we should try. If we only succeed in a few things throughout the coming year, our lives will still be better and more full than before. This is how one season of Elul builds upon the foundations of seasons past. Each year we focus on new things that Our Father is showing us. Every year He helps us to change in ways that are a closer reflection of Him.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
The scriptures tell us God draws close to those who draw close to Him.
We have already discussed the fact that God is compassionate, and God is love. The Hebrew word for this type of love and compassion is Chesed. We all need more Chesed in our lives. It is important that we dwell on these attributes concerning love and compassion to see and understand how they can increase the fullness of God’s Kingdom in our own days. These attributes have us started down the right path. This is a way to discover more of Who God is and how we can try to imitate more of His holiness in our lives.
THE ATTRIBUTES OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE
Today we will add two more attributes of God to our list of reflections and meditations. It is our goal to look at more scriptural facts which show us how God is just and true.
For a deeper understanding, it was decided we should study the attributes of justice and truth together. This is because justice and truth can’t really exist alone. One must have the other in order to thrive.
Justice is never real if it is based on lies. Falsehoods cannot ever bring us to true justice.
So, we come to the question of the day. How do we see both of these wonderful characteristics called justice and truth when we look at the personality of God?
LISTENING TO ISAIAH
We can start by thinking of the famous words of Isaiah. These are found in Isaiah 1:17 when that very godly prophet said; “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Many people, while trying to define Christianity, will quote this verse first. But; what exactly does it mean to us? Before we go passionately out into the world to implement our own version of godly changes, it helps a lot to have previously educated ourselves on the true meanings of “doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God.”
So often well-intentioned humans just trying to do good only cause more harm.
FIRST DO NO HARM
To prevent that from happening, some organizations have been successful in their missions by adopting a great motto, “First do no harm.” In order to be sure we “first do no harm” in what could be an already bad situation, we must educate ourselves in the truths of whatever the situation shows to us. We know that God does this because we have read portions of scripture that speak of how God sends the angels to and fro over the earth, so that they may gather accurate information on the happenings of the earth and bring them before God’s throne.
This same protocol was how Sodom and Gomorrah came to be extinct. It was because the people in the areas around them had been praying and seeking God’s face. They prayed continuously, and the angels of God listened. The angels carried their messages up to heaven and brought the matter before God.
THE ANGELS ARE ALWAYS LISTENING
In this case, and also in every other case, God did not want to harm the innocent while bringing justice. Abraham had prayed for his nephew Lot by asking God “if there were only so many godly men in the city, would the city be spared?” God patiently listened to Abraham and made the best decision based on the truth before Him.
Lot, though he was not perfect, was not guilty of the sins of the city. God sent angels to bring him out before the city was destroyed. God chose to “first do no harm” toward the innocent. He decided to only punish the guilty. Based on evidence of true witnesses, Lot and his family were the only ones who could be saved.
WHAT ABOUT NOW?
Most of us think we could be living in end-times today. Knowing this part of Lot’s story is comforting. When I think of this motto of “first do no harm” I can’t help but rememberthe times I have punished ALL of my children for something when I did not know exactly who was guilty. These were times when none of them would be a tattle-tale and fib on the others in order to let me know the truth.
At the time I thought I had no choice. It seemed the only way to find out the truth, but it didn’t work out that way. Looking back now, I can see that it wasn’t fair to punish all for the crimes of only one. God doesn’t work that way whenever he makes judgements.
Now I would consider that old way of punishment to be a very unfair way to raise children. It would also be a bad way to run a city, state of country.
ALL SHOULD NOT SUFFER WHEN ONLY A FEW ARE GUILTY
In many ways it is uncanny to think how raising children and looking after the citizens of a country have a lot of similarities. Most of the same ideas and theories apply to both sets of people. Children constantly need guidance and help to get back on the right track. Citizens also need encouragement and help in order to continue to be good citizens.
Everyone should not have to suffer when only a few are guilty. Each child/citizen is different. All have approached their life through the lens of their own circumstances. One blanket mandate can never work for all parties’ best interest. A good judge will take this into consideration. God is a good and fair judge. He looks at each of us for who we are. From that angle of the truth He judges us by the talents we have been given.
God always seeks the truth. Then He examines it. He waits until He can use the truth to bring about fair justice.
WORKING TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN CONDITION
Perhaps this season of meditation and teshuvah is a good starting place in our lives. It appears to be a beginning place where we can seek God’s help in starting to improve on our own humanity. Personally, I know every season applies to many areas of my own life. Each annual review is unique in its own way. God is always teaching us more.
Looking over the past year, have there been instances in your life where you made decisions that punished the innocent along with the guilty? If so, this does not reflect the nature of God. Perhaps meditations from this season help you to realize this will not be a good practice to carry into the coming year.
We all know the correct answers. Repent, turn, and receive the blessings of an obedient child who is doing their very best to follow The Master of The Universe.
Let’s look at this passage a little further though. We are aiming to see these attributes in light of godly truth and justice. How would reflecting these attributes of God help us to live better?
TRUSTING GOD’S GUIDANCE
What defines God’s truth?
What defines God’s justice?
It surely seems God has a very strong sense of what is right and what is wrong. This could be defined further. We could call this a perfect sense of righteousness. This is yet another awesome trait of God’s immense goodness. Truth and justice are carved out from a solid knowing of what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, how does this attribute of God’s personality affect the way we should be living?
It means we should be doing things which are right instead of things that are wrong. We too must have our own solid way of knowing the difference. Not only must we have a strong sense of the difference between right and wrong while living it out, but we are also to be teaching the generations after us to do so.
WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG?
How do you imagine God establishes right from wrong?
To begin with, if you are perfectly holy as God is, you automatically know right from wrong. That is exactly why He is God! However, we do know God has helped us with this by clearly spelling His ways out for us in the words of The Ten Commandments. We have just studied those commandments. It takes following the commandments and knowing the rest of God’s Word to establish truth and justice in all circumstances.
Today some humans try to move around this principal. Many think they can make up their own definitions of what is right and what is wrong by twisting the words of the commandments so they appear to have new and different meanings. When this is attempted and tried the truth gets watered down. Justice gets pushed aside in order to let a weaker way prevail. Given enough time, these ways only build crumbly walls. Their unsteady foundations are soon toppled and destroyed by the ways of the world. We are left with no justice and no truth. The enemy wins.
REFLECTING GOD’S WAYS
So what would be the most godly way to go about reflecting God’s attributes of truth and justice today?
First,we must love truth and justice as much as God does.
We do not need to be wimpy reeds bending and breaking every time the wind blows. Somehow we must stand firm and stand strong in every thing that we do. We must work steadily to seek justice for the helpless. It is our place to defend those who are oppressed. There must be goods supplied to those living in poverty and want. Our voices must speak out to defend those who are abused, hurt, hopeless and without medical care. We need to be sure our fellowmen have the basic needs for living life. Also, as followers of Yeshua, we must be willing to provide hope and help for widows and orphans. It is our assignment to help them find a way to a happier future.
THE CHURCH – NOT THE GOVERNMENT
We need to quit depending on government hand-outs. These would not be necessary if we all could learn to work on being good neighbors. If churches stopped operating on government grants for their community needs, they would not have to conform to government mandates.
Truth and justice doesn’t have to start at a community building though. It can start in your own front yard. Share your garden, your advice, your food. Be aware of how the people living around you are surviving. Listen to how they feel. Understand whether or not they have overwhelming needs or problems that you can help them to solve.
Open up the closed fist and give away some of your financial blessings. Be a blessing to someone who needs a hand-up. Step out and be true to your calling. God’s people should be serving as an advocate for those who need help.
In all that you do, seek truth and justice.
THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE
The scriptures tell us that Jesus said “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:22.) Mature Christians have discerned that God is truth. Therefore; knowing God is knowing truth.
In order to know God, we must diligently study the scriptures, pray, and worship. When we have discerned divine truth, we will be better equippe to bring true justice.
ONE RULER OF ALL
God, the One who judges with divine justice, is the One who truly governs the earth. Follow Him with your whole heart. Our great judge has declared us all to be equal. He is our law-giver and our sovereign King. God and God alone will one day bring a final justice to all of mankind.
Our part in this moment of time is to be very sure we are doing everything within our power to imitate His justice and His truth in all of our ways. If we reflect this part of God’s nature, everything concerned will turn toward righteousness and peace. There will be harmony among every nation. It will be a TRUE harmony, not a forced or fake one.
It only takes one person to start the spark that lights the flame.
Words are easy, but doing is everything.
VERSE
James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
PRAYER
Father, Please open our eyes to those aroud us who are oppressed. Help us to respond to each situation and circumstance as You would with truth and justice. Teach us not to be religious, but to serve You and others with sincere love and compassion. May each of us do our little part in helping to repair and restore this world back to what you originally intended it to be. Amen
SONG
HE’S EVERYTHING TO ME by Imperials – https://youtu.be/FvgspvBVEUo?si=F3ZJMS2pDCKgJcVG