Isaiah 42:1-4
1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth…
The struggle for justice and peace, in our own lives, in our communities, in our nation, and in our world won’t end until Jesus comes back to reconcile all creation to Himself. It’s important for all of us to remember that we’re playing the long game so we don’t fall into despair of give-up entirely.
It’s also important to remember that the struggle isn’t ours alone. Our struggle for justice and peace is a reflection of the greater, cosmic struggle between good and evil. Even though the powers of Sin and Death have already been defeated on the cross and through the empty tomb, Jesus will continue the struggle on our behalf as long as there is life in this world.
So why do we bother to stand up against injustice and pour ourselves out working for peace? We do it because it is in the struggle, itself, that God heals, strengthens and guides us. If we never struggle, we never grow.
Prayer: Lord God: Hasten the day when the world is at peace and all our struggles have ended. AMEN