UNIT 1: GOD REQUIRES JUSTICE
A Prayer for Justice | Bible Background • HABAKKUK 2: 6-14
Devotional Reading • PSALM 130
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of the lesson, we will: RECOGNIZE why injustice will be punished, APPRECIATE the fairness of divine punishment of injustice, and DECIDE to follow God’s commandment to act with justice.
IN FOCUS
Terri struggled to keep her car on the road as she sped home from the office. After 13 years with the school district, the administrators had decided to eliminate her position. As Terri drove, she thought about the hundreds of overtime hours she had freely given. Worst of all was that two of the special education people, Lauren and Crystal, were remaining after Terri had covered for both of them countless times. Yet the district cut her job. Since her husband’s death, Terri was the sole supporter of their three kids. She related the whole story to her friend Karla over coffee. Karla listened patiently through the long, angry rant. “What do you think of that?” Terri finally asked. “Terri,” Karla softly began. “Do you think God doesn’t know all of this already? Do you think He’s not watching you?” Karla held Terri’s hand. “Be patient. He will protect you, and He will bring justice to them. Just watch!” Just as Terri’s severance pay was going to end, she was hired by a Christian charity at a higher salary than her last job. The next month, Terri turned on her computer to check the news,and the first headline said that her former district supervisor and several staff were under investigation for fiscal mismanagement. Terri shook her head and said, “Won’t He do it?”
Sometimes things look impossible or as if they will not work out. Trusting God is often difficult for people to do. What do you do to praise God for what He has done, is doing, and will do?
KEEP IN MIND: Why do you think God delays justice? Where have you seen delayed justice in your life?