The God of Justice and Mercy

God’s Justice and Grace
2 Chronicles 15:1-6
“Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.  But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron. 15:6-7)

When the problem is spiritual, only spiritual solutions bring hope.  After the nation of Israel was divided into the northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribes of Judah, the two countries when on two different paths. The northern nation of Israel quickly abandoned God and pursued the gods of the Canaanites.  Fearful that the lure of the worship of God in Jerusalem would cause the people to want to reunite with Judah, Jeroboam, the king of Israel, set up an alternate site to worship.  He appointed priests for his own temples of worship on the high places, which became synonymous with idolatry (11:15).  This began a downward trend for Israel that would culminate in their captivity.

On the other hand, Judah would experience both descents into idolatry and periods of reform.  Some kings would do evil because they did seek the Lord, while others would lead the nation into a period of spiritual reform by obedience to God.  In chapter 15, the prophet Azariah warns Asa, the newly crowned king of Judah, of the importance of seeking God.  In his warning, we see both the justice and grace of God.

Azariah points back to the time of the Judges when the nation abandoned God. As a result, they experienced the judgment of God.  While God is loving, he is also holy and just.  His holiness means that he is perfect in his being and cannot be tainted by sin or any association with evil.  His justice means that when his law is rejected and violated, there are consequences, for he will bring judgment.  When man-made laws are broken, our justice system requires consequences and punishment.  When appointed, a judge must take an oath to uphold the nation's laws without partiality.  This includes both the protection of the innocent as well and the judgment of the guilty.  This is equally true of God.  He is always righteous and just.  Thus, Azariah reminds Asa that when the people rebelled against God, there “was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands.  The nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress” (vs. 5-6).  When a nation or people abandon God, then part of God’s judgment is allowing evil and trouble to overtake the land.  Paul gives this same warning in Romans 1.

But with justice also comes grace. So Ahaziah also promises that if the people turn to the Lord and seek him, he will respond with grace, forgiveness, and healing. This is the power of his grace.  No matter how often we reject God, if we turn to him and seek him, he will let us find him (vs. 4). Likewise, his grace and mercy extend forgiveness to the worst sinner if they repent and seek him (1 John 1:9).

As we look at our nation today, we see a country plagued by division, rampant inflation, civil unrest, and every kind of distress.  In response, we look to politicians, political parties, scientist, etc., to provide answers. However, when the problem is spiritual, only spiritual solutions will bring answers. So instead of looking to people, we need to turn to God  and his divinely inspired word for answers. This begins with our personal life.  If we want to experience God’s blessing, we need to seek him with a heart of obedience.  Then regardless of what happens in our world, we will not “lose courage, for there is reward for your work” (vs. 7). God is a God of justice and holiness who will not remain silent in the face of sin.   He is also a God of mercy who promises forgiveness, restoration, and protection for those who seek him.