I wonder how people can justify stepping on others to get ahead? I don’t understand how people can simply wipe out others. I understand it even less when children of the Lord do it, because it goes against everything that Jesus is. Those who follow Him should try and follow in his footsteps as closely as possible.

Maddie is personally experiencing such an injustice:

We’ve been involved in a legal battle with “friends” who’ve stolen a large business from us and others. They transfer shares that doesn’t belong to them and loan accounts unlawfully to other companies they’ve established. Criminal charges have been brought against them. But they push ahead like steamrollers and use our company money to oppose us.

My husband continues to fight bravely and believes that the end is in sight, but they have ruined us and the other shareholders financially. Every Sunday, they sit in the first row in church and serve on the boards of the best schools.

Some days it feels as if the Lord has forgotten us, but He has also cared for us and ensured that we have what we need these past four years.

Please, pray for an end to this matter and that God’s justice will prevail! We really need it now!

All Maddie is asking is that the wrong things will stop and that everything will go right again. We can ask for this. We must ask for this, because this is exactly what Jesus stands for, for what is right and for justice. He stands for honest business above the counter. He doesn’t like what is going on below the counter. To tell the truth, He hates it.

⁸You love it when things are right; You hate it when things are wrong.

Here we learn about another characteristic of Jesus: He stands for honesty. He stands for the truth. He doesn’t go down funny paths. If He says it’s going to rain, you don’t have to look up and wonder where the clouds are.

Jesus walked through life on earth without sinning once. He always did the right thing. Indeed, it is because of this flawlessness that He could take the punishment for all of humanity, suffering the punishment for our sin. How ironic is that! The One who never ever sinned died on the cross for everybody’s sin.

I’m always looking for ways how we can show our gratitude for this enormous deed that Jesus did. A thank you is just too small. Then I always say that out of gratitude we must go and look for places where we can make a difference. That’s right, but there is another way too.

We can show our gratitude by living right in all circumstances. Maybe we’re not as bad as Maddie’s “friends”, but maybe there is something that the Spirit is reminding you of now, something that you know Jesus doesn’t like at all. Maybe it is time to get rid of it completely.

Scripture
Hebrews 1:7-14

Reflection
Where are the places where your path is not going straight?
How can you change direction?
Can someone help you?

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your example of justice and right in everything. I know there are places in my life where I don’t always make the right choice, don’t speak the truth, and sometimes do wrong. Please forgive me and help me to also overcome the challenges. Amen.