Hope and warning, healing and reckoning
Dr Iain Jamieson
November 18, 2025
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Malachi 4: 1-2 (NIVUK)
1 ‘Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Justice. It’s easy to make assumptions about situations with other people we know nothing about. When things happen that offend us, confuse us or when we fall down the rabbit hole of “I wouldn’t do…” (Even although you’ve no experience of the particular situation). You want there to be justice. There is justice you know. You can’t see it sometimes but it’s there, the dislocation from walking with God. It can lead to a dark place and yes, sometimes we need to be taught some painful lessons. That’s punk. You really didn’t want to read that did you?
Here’s the nub though – no matter how deep, or high or far you might feel that God is apart from you. Wide open arms are just waiting to welcome you back.
There is no place in space or time that can separate you from his love. You shall be rescued; you just need to ask and as Malachi puts it. “The sun will rise with healing in its rays”.
Justice is there and it can hurt but forgiveness and reconciliation are a heartbeat away and that, brothers and sisters – being redeemed — well THAT’S justice in the eyes of the Lord.
Prayer:
I guess I assume too much to pass judgement
How can I know justice? When I can’t get inside of the crime.
Only you know.
When I am judged, for there to be the justice of man
Let me turn to your forgiveness and the justice of being forgiven, made whole, at one with you again.
Remind me that’s the justice you want for me.
Sins forgiven
Reparations made
Walking with you with my next steps
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