And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Hebrews 11:32-34
When it comes to our heroes, we’re all about big things. Loud things. Exciting things. Our heroes do things that normal people just like us could never do in a million years. They’ve got the power to leap tall buildings in a single bound. They’re smart and can outthink everyday people.
Think back to any sporting event where they give out the championship trophy. Reporters only want to know how they were able to be better than everyone else. How they won while everyone else didn’t.
When I see this list of great heroes of faith, I feel exactly the same way. These things were done by people who are in a really different league than I am. They’re all powerful in body and mind. They’re really strong and skilled. Just look at what they did.
Conquered kingdoms.
Gained what was promised.
Shut the mouths of lions.
Quenched the fury of the flames.
Escaped the edge of the sword.
Weakness was turned to strength.
Powerful in battle.
Routed foreign armies
Now I’m depressed. Are you? There ain’t no way that I could ever do any of these things. I know it was God in them that accomplished these great things. Their faith looked towards God and received his power. But still, these things are so far above me that it isn’t funny.
How could I ever do anything that needed strength when it’s so hard for me just to open a new jar of pickles? I’m so slow that I can’t even get out of my own way. I’m so clumsy that I’m forever tripping. I can’t even keep my mouth shut, so how could I do that to lions? I’ve never even been an army, so how could I lead one against foreign invaders?
Yes, this list might make you think that there’s nothing you could do for God. But did you notice that I skipped one thing in the list? While these eight things are all loud and powerful, there is one thing that’s not loud at all. It doesn’t require any special physical abilities. It’s something that anyone could do.
And that thing is to administer justice. Someone who administers is a person that knows what they’re looking for and searches for it. They’ll work hard for it. They won’t give up until they’ve got it.
These people are going to work towards justice until it’s reached. But what is justice? Simply put, justice is what’s right. Justice is the true way of looking at and living life that’s right both in the eyes of God and people. Jesus points to these people in his list of Beatitudes.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6 NLT
Justice isn’t like some pill you swallow, and justice instantly appears. It’s not some app you download on your phone so you can experience justice at the touch of a button. No, you’ve got to want it. You’ve got to be presently and actively craving justice with every part of yourself.
When someone hungers and thirsts for justice, there is just no letting go. They are focused on it day and night. They’re like a dog on a bone and are going to chew on it for the rest of their lives. And heaven help anyone that tries to take it away.
You’ll notice that there’s no special skill or ability needed. It doesn’t matter how strong you are. How much weight you can lift. Whether you’re fast or not. Of if you’ve practiced and practiced till you’re better at fighting or firing a gun. No special skills are needed when it comes to administering justice.
If there’s any hope for justice in this world, it’s not going to come from any government or international organization. No club or informal volunteer association will make it happen. And while technology is terrific, computers and cameras are not powerful enough either.
The only hope for justice in this life depends on people just like you and me. It’s when average people stand up for the right. Not what is popular or convenient, but what’s true based on who God is. Jesus did this and just look at what they did to him. Administering justice is a silent and thankless job. It takes daily dedication to a life of faith that’s quiet and hidden. Hidden from people but never hidden from God[1].
Noodling Questions
How can we do a better job of being quiet about our faith? Hiding it?
Why does justice make us want to lash out and get even?
Explain why God likes to use average people just like you and me.
[1] Matthew 6:4
Comments