A Response to Injustice

The other day I stumbled on this interesting headline that originated from the UK: “Hundreds of innocent people wrongly spied on by police.” The article began, “Almost 1,000 innocent people have been wrongly spied on by the police, security services and town halls because of errors in ‘snooping’ requests. Two people were even arrested and wrongly accused of crimes they did not commit because officials wrote down incorrect details” (Telegraph, July 2012).

Can you imagine learning that the government has been doing significant surveillance on you based on misinformation? Can you imagine being detained and interrogated because someone wrote down the wrong thing? That would be unsettling to say the least. One day you’re minding your business, living out a fairly routine and mundane day, when you suddenly find yourself in handcuffs being harshly interviewed regarding things you know nothing about. In addition, you learn you’ve been watched for months by authorities, your phones have been tapped, and all your e-mail and internet activity has been reviewed. How would you react if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit? It’s a horrible feeling to be a victim of injustice. It erodes your trust in people and makes you feel vulnerable. Hopefully, none of us will be wrongfully accused of a crime, but we all face issues in our lives that seem unjust or unfair.

A close friend of mine recently walked through a difficult review process with her employer. In the end, she was put on an employee improvement plan that involved masses of amount of time taking classes, reading, and being coached. As she reviewed the reasoning for her new plan, she concluded that they had used incomplete and inaccurate information to bring them to their conclusion. When she addressed these inconsistencies and sited positive data regarding her work, she was asked to not become defensive and combative. When her review was completed, she was left to wonder if she should stand and fight for her reputation, whether she should just quietly and submissively absorb the injustice, or she should seek a job elsewhere. All three of those options haunted her as it all seemed so unnecessary.

So, what’s the godly response to injustice? How do we handle false accusations in a way that honors God? How does a follower of Jesus face attacks from people who want to unjustly do harm? I think the song writer David gives us some insight. I see three principles imbedded in this psalm that can help us through times of injustice or attacks.

1. Don’t be afraid or disheartened. God will be the source of our strength in this fight.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident. Psalm 27.1-3 NLT

2. Seek sanctuary in God’s intimate presence. Faced with attacks from his enemies, David retreated to the Temple of God.

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music. Psalm 27.4-6 NLT

3. Wait on God for justice his way.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.   Psalm 27.7-14