Letting God Be God When Facing Injustice (2 Samuel 15, 16, 19)

Edited from a sermon by Michael P. Andrus, pastor at First Evangelical Free Church, Wichita, KS (www.firstfreewichita.org)

Download this sermon

Summary

Think back to the last time you were treated unfairly or suffered unjustly.  Maybe it was a long time ago; more likely, it happened just this past week.  Either way, the memories are undoubtedly painful, because most of us have a very strong sense of fairness.  I think the thing I have had the most difficulty teaching my two boys over the years is that “life is not fair.”  It really isn't, and the sooner we grasp that fact, the sooner we are going to learn how to cope with disappointment.

How do we cope with unfairness and betrayal and injustice?  It's not easy.  The natural response is to demand our rights, to threaten to sue, to take revenge. But what is the godly response? 

David handles injustice by recognizing

1. that God sometimes allows people of incredible disloyalty and ill will to antagonize us. (16:5-14)
2. that God brings people of incredible loyalty and grace across our path to help us through times of injustice or betrayal. (15:13-22)

David handles injustice by refusing

1. to risk harm to the Lord's name in order to protect his own interests. (15:25)
2. to get angry with God for discipline he deserves. (15:25; 16:10,11)
3. to accept counsel that appeals to ungodly instincts. (16:9,10)

David handles injustice by focusing on the character of God, first on 

1. the justice of God. (15:25,26)
2. the sovereignty of God. (Psalm 37:1‑13)
3. the goodness of God. (16:12)

Conclusion

Injustice is a fact of life.  Even betrayal by a close friend is an experience nearly everyone of us will face.  Sometimes these trials come as discipline from the Lord.  At other times they will be completely undeserved. Whichever the case may be, we have the choice of handling it in one of three ways:

• With anger, retaliation, and violence
• Or with pity, depression, and withdrawal
• Or we can give it to the One who judges justly, always!