Guardrails in a Broken World
Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. – Leviticus 19:15
Sometimes the laws in the Old Testament seem strange or even upsetting. But before we assume they reflect God’s endorsement, we need to ask: what’s really happening here? Often, these laws are not permission slips for injustice—they are guardrails within already broken systems.
Exodus 21 didn’t invent servitude. It was already deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern economy. What God did was radically new: He regulated it to protect people, especially the vulnerable. Masters weren’t allowed unchecked power anymore. If a servant was injured, they were set free. If they were killed, the master faced serious consequences. In a culture where slaves were property, God inserted dignity and justice into the equation.
This is not divine approval of the system—it’s divine confrontation of injustice within the system. It’s like a parent putting up safety rails for a child who insists on running near the edge. The rails don’t say it’s good to play by the cliff—they’re there to prevent tragedy while teaching the child a better way.
God often works this way in our lives too. He meets us in the middle of our mess and slowly realigns our hearts. He doesn’t condone our sin, but He sets up boundaries that begin to change us. We’re not supposed to stay in the broken system—we’re supposed to follow Him out of it. And that journey begins with guardrails.
Reflection Question
Where might God be setting up guardrails in your life—not to approve of your situation, but to protect and redirect you toward His purpose?
God doesn’t rubber-stamp broken systems. He puts up guardrails in the middle of them to protect people until His justice can take root.
Prayer
God, thank You for loving me enough to step into my mess. Thank You for setting up boundaries to protect me, even when I don’t understand them. Help me see Your laws not as limitations, but as invitations to walk closer with You. Amen.
Sometimes the laws in the Old Testament seem strange or even upsetting. But before we assume they reflect God’s endorsement, we need to ask: what’s really happening here? Often, these laws are not permission slips for injustice—they are guardrails within already broken systems.
Exodus 21 didn’t invent servitude. It was already deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern economy. What God did was radically new: He regulated it to protect people, especially the vulnerable. Masters weren’t allowed unchecked power anymore. If a servant was injured, they were set free. If they were killed, the master faced serious consequences. In a culture where slaves were property, God inserted dignity and justice into the equation.
This is not divine approval of the system—it’s divine confrontation of injustice within the system. It’s like a parent putting up safety rails for a child who insists on running near the edge. The rails don’t say it’s good to play by the cliff—they’re there to prevent tragedy while teaching the child a better way.
God often works this way in our lives too. He meets us in the middle of our mess and slowly realigns our hearts. He doesn’t condone our sin, but He sets up boundaries that begin to change us. We’re not supposed to stay in the broken system—we’re supposed to follow Him out of it. And that journey begins with guardrails.
Reflection Question
Where might God be setting up guardrails in your life—not to approve of your situation, but to protect and redirect you toward His purpose?
God doesn’t rubber-stamp broken systems. He puts up guardrails in the middle of them to protect people until His justice can take root.
Prayer
God, thank You for loving me enough to step into my mess. Thank You for setting up boundaries to protect me, even when I don’t understand them. Help me see Your laws not as limitations, but as invitations to walk closer with You. 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