Justice That Walks Toward the Pain
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." — Micah 6:8
It’s easy to say we believe in justice when it doesn’t cost us anything. When all it takes is a post, a like, a retweet, we can feel like we’ve done our part. But justice that mirrors the heart of God always costs something. It means moving toward the pain, not away from it. It means standing in the tension, not escaping it.
Jesus didn’t speak of justice from a distance. He stepped into broken stories, looked abused people in the eye, and defended the vulnerable even when it made powerful people uncomfortable. That is not a safe faith. That is a cross-carrying faith. And we’re called to follow Him there.
The laws in Deuteronomy, especially the hard ones, show us this costly kind of justice. God was speaking into a violent, patriarchal world, not reinforcing it. He was protecting the vulnerable where there had been no protection before. And yes, it was costly. The man was held accountable. The community had to face the fallout of sin. That’s what real justice does, it disrupts comfort to create space for healing.
We want justice without inconvenience. But Jesus shows us a better way. His steps led Him to the cross, not away from it. He didn’t just point to the hurting. He put His body in their place.
What if we stopped settling for a version of justice that never costs us? What if we chose to walk toward the pain instead of scrolling past it? What if our theology led us to action?
Reflection Question
Where is God asking you to move toward injustice or pain this week, even if it’s uncomfortable?
Jesus didn’t tweet justice. He touched lepers. He stood between a woman and her accusers. He walked toward the cross. So why do we think following Him will be easy?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for showing us what costly love looks like. Forgive me for the times I’ve chosen safety instead of sacrifice. Give me courage to move toward the places where healing is needed, even when it’s uncomfortable. Use me to reflect Your heart for justice in a world that often prefers silence. Amen.
It’s easy to say we believe in justice when it doesn’t cost us anything. When all it takes is a post, a like, a retweet, we can feel like we’ve done our part. But justice that mirrors the heart of God always costs something. It means moving toward the pain, not away from it. It means standing in the tension, not escaping it.
Jesus didn’t speak of justice from a distance. He stepped into broken stories, looked abused people in the eye, and defended the vulnerable even when it made powerful people uncomfortable. That is not a safe faith. That is a cross-carrying faith. And we’re called to follow Him there.
The laws in Deuteronomy, especially the hard ones, show us this costly kind of justice. God was speaking into a violent, patriarchal world, not reinforcing it. He was protecting the vulnerable where there had been no protection before. And yes, it was costly. The man was held accountable. The community had to face the fallout of sin. That’s what real justice does, it disrupts comfort to create space for healing.
We want justice without inconvenience. But Jesus shows us a better way. His steps led Him to the cross, not away from it. He didn’t just point to the hurting. He put His body in their place.
What if we stopped settling for a version of justice that never costs us? What if we chose to walk toward the pain instead of scrolling past it? What if our theology led us to action?
Reflection Question
Where is God asking you to move toward injustice or pain this week, even if it’s uncomfortable?
Jesus didn’t tweet justice. He touched lepers. He stood between a woman and her accusers. He walked toward the cross. So why do we think following Him will be easy?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for showing us what costly love looks like. Forgive me for the times I’ve chosen safety instead of sacrifice. Give me courage to move toward the places where healing is needed, even when it’s uncomfortable. Use me to reflect Your heart for justice in a world that often prefers silence. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
March
The Way to TruthLiving Water in a Thirsty WorldThe Narrow PathKnown by GodEternal Life Starts NowThe Relentless Pursuit of LoveFaith in ActionGoing Where Others Won’tJesus Changes EverythingOvercoming Fear to ShineMaking Heaven CrowdedReflecting His LightSalt of the EarthLetting Your Light ShineFueling Your LightShining TogetherThe Call to Surrender
April
The Paradox of DiscipleshipFrom Fan to FollowerThe Cross We CarryThe Joy of Full SurrenderThe Fruit of SurrenderThe Perfect PlanThe Root of Our ProblemThe Perfect SacrificeFreedom PurchasedLiving in VictorySent with PurposeThe True Cost of LoveFrom Darkness to LightBreaking Down BarriersVictory, Not VictimhoodLiving in FreedomThe Invitation Still StandsThe Stone Was Already MovedBreaking Free from the GraveyardGrace Before PerformanceMeeting Jesus in the HurtStepping into BeliefFrom Doubt to DeclarationThe Daily InvitationLetting Go of the OldWalking in New Power
May
Breaking Free from the Chains of ShameStepping Boldly into New LifeLiving the Resurrection DailySelf-Reliance to SurrenderDaily Steps of FaithTrading Comfort for ClarityThe Beauty of Faithful ObediencePurpose in the WaitingOur First Response, Not Last ResortThe Heart Behind the PrayerTrusting in the UnknownTrusting Beyond Our UnderstandingThe Generous FatherGod's Will Is a Relationship, Not a PuzzleLiving with Renewed PurposeDaily Bread, Not Emergency MedicineWalking in the LightFrom Hearing to ObeyingThe Word in Our Darkest MomentsHolding Hands with JesusAnchored by Truth in a Drifting WorldThe Purpose in the PauseDiscipled by Speed, Developed by WaitingDivine Redirection, Not RejectionFaith Forged in the FurnaceThe Divine Appointment in DelayStrength for the Stretch
June
When Fear Meets FaithThe Promise of God's PresenceReleasing the Grip of ControlBringing Fear into the LightHeld by Nail-Scarred HandsCourage for the Next StepFinding RestThe Freedom of HonestyWho’s Really Leading Your Life?Rest Looks Like Being With HimRedefining Rest, Redefining WorthLiving From RestDesigned for JoyThe Purpose in PainCollapsing into ChristThe Journey of HealingHope Has a NameGod is Still WritingUnderstanding Holy AngerThe Danger of Lingering AngerFinding Peace in SurrenderThe Power of ConfessionThe Path to FreedomFrom Anger to RedemptionThe God Who Steps In
No Comments