Briefing: To be called a minister of justice sounds like the introduction of a cool comic book hero. Are you worthy to be called a minister of justice?

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 37.

On the Street: God has blessed a certain part of the population to be His ministers for justice. We call them law enforcement. These are the men and women who go out every day to protect and serve their communities. These law enforcement officers have a very important job, not just in the eyes of their communities but in the eyes of God Himself.

Early in the Bible we see a great city that does not seem to have a system of justice. There seems to be no one who stood up for what was right, who protected the innocent or sought truth. We read in Genesis 19:20 “Then the Lord said, “the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” God has put the law in every man and woman’s heart. If this were not so, every culture on earth would not have the same basic laws. It is no coincidence that every society since time began had a system of justice.

David cries out a prayer that I believe many people in our communities and towns echo daily. Psalm 94:16, “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” We can see from the example in Genesis that God expects man to carry out justice in our communities.

God could answer the call Himself but He chose a select people out of the populations to work on His behalf. The Christian men and women of law enforcement were created to do the works God has called them to. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our works are to carry out justice, live righteous lives as an example to others and seek the truth in all situations.

Our God is a God who loves justice. In Isaiah 61:8, “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.” Have you ever considered because God loves justice and has given you the job of carrying out justice that He is proud of you? God is proud of you! Let that sink in for a moment.

I love verses of confirmation. I need to know what I am doing is right and part of God’s plan. Psalm 33:5 tells us again, “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord.”

And lastly, a verse from Psalm 37:28, “For the Lord loves justice and does not forsake His godly ones; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” The good works of justice on this earth will not get you a free ticket to heaven. Only faith, trust and obedience to Jesus Christ can do that but we are called to carry out His justice while we are here.

Investigational Resources: Genesis 19.

Officer Safety Principle: This is so impactful for me. Men and women of law enforcement, God is proud of you!

from Psalms Through the Eyes of a Cop, Volume 1
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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