“No justice, no peace.” That’s the cry we’ve been hearing for weeks from marching protesters in our streets, if not from the violent looters who have followed in their wake. But that raises a legitimate question – who in our modern society is in need of justice?

Psalm 82 gives some of the obvious answers: “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute, Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4). So much is clear, and very few people would doubt that many of the residents of our largest cities are in fact needy, and even destitute. And no honest student of history or sociology would doubt that fatherlessness is in fact a big part of the reason for the poverty that has plagued those areas for generations.

But how can we make sure that justice is available for all Americans? Well, Obadiah gives us two powerful negative examples. He condemns the Edomites for their arrogance, their belief that they could never be brought down from their lofty position (Obadiah 1:3). He also points out how they stood aloof from their Israelite cousins, gloating when foreigners invaded and destroyed them (Obadiah 1:11-12).

So, if we would truly seek justice for all, maybe all of us Americans need first to take a look in the mirror. Maybe we need to jettison our proud insistence on our rights and instead embrace our responsibilities, not only for our own families but for our communities as well. Maybe instead of looking to government policies and programs to solve our problems, we need to get more personally involved in our neighbors’ lives, seeking ways we can truly be of help to them. Maybe the best weapon we have against ignorance and anger is simply truth and love – for without the love of Jesus, aren’t we all doomed to go on walking in the darkness?

Psalm 82:1-8 (NASB)

A Psalm of Asaph
God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.
2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.
3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.
7 “Nevertheless you will die like men, And fall like any one of the princes.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is Thou who dost possess all the nations.