I cannot imagine being a family member whose relation was the victim of a violent crime. The wheels of justice move mightily slow even if the perpetrator is caught in the first place.

One of my favorite television shows is “Forensic Files” where DNA evidence is used to prove guilt or absolve the innocent. Before this method of scientific crime analysis became commonplace in the early 1990s, many people went to their graves not knowing if the guilty would ever be caught let alone punished for their crimes.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil — Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NASB)

As a Christian, I can feel that justice isn’t being meted out in a timely fashion or at least in a time frame I would like. One only needs to pick up the Bible and read some of the atrocities mentioned to wonder where God’s hand was in all of that. Where was His hand of judgment against those who killed babies, brutalized nations, plundered the poor and others?

But, I also know that if God were quick to judge, I would have long ago been found guilty and been separated from Him for all eternity. And you know what? You would have been too.

I realize that this may not be much of a consolation for the suffering family and I have no answer on how they should manage their lives during such trying times. But, I do know that:

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit — Psalm 34:18 (NASB)

Far be it from me to tell anyone how to handle their grief let along manage their lives. Thankfully, we have someone who is very familiar with what we go through, the innocent Lamb of God who took away our sins:

You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls – First Peter 2:21-25

Judgment is coming and when it arrives it will be swift, thorough and final. No DNA will be needed — God searches the heart and will render his verdict with decisive authority.

When I’m judged, I want the Ruler of the Universe to intervene on my behalf. How about you?

Photo Credit: Stephen Stacy

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Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. (NASB)

When I was young, I remember visiting my father’s relatives who often recounted the days of their youth. If you were a casual listener, you would think that those good ‘ole days were really something special. After all, driving a car without a license in Brooklyn, heading to the beach on a carefree summer afternoon, or hanging out with the boys just couldn’t be beat.

As a child hearing such talk, I began to believe that the best days had already passed by. Growing up, the news was filled with civil rights struggles, the war in Vietnam, surging inflation, and a host of other societal ills. Soon, I began to feel that the better days were in the past!

The children of Israel also thought that some of their better times were those days when they were living under Pharaoh’s rule. In Exodus 14, Pharaoh’s army was in hot pursuit of the escaping Israelites who believed that they would soon be overtaken by the Egyptian army. In their fear they complained that the former days under Egyptian tyranny were better than the freedom they now had.

I’ve been guilty myself with thinking that certain times of my life were better than others. If I look back on my sin-filled years, I can remember the momentary pleasure but forget the absolute despondency that accompanied my sin. Truthfully, whatever thrills I got when doing wrong were outweighed by the guilt that I felt.

Like the Children of Israel who were soon to experience a tremendous miracle in the parting of the Red Sea, our best days are yet to come. God is saving the best for when we are with Him in heaven, but He also wants us to know that He’ll part the Red Seas in our lives if we wait upon Him.

The Good ‘Ole Days are our times with the Lord. Sin may hold a momentary appeal, but nothing compares to experiencing the joy of the Lord in your life.

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