Justice Feels Good

Today's guest devotion is by Kristin Billerbeck, from: Delight Yourself in the Lord…Even on Bad Hair Days © 2011 Summerside Press

Justice Feels Good

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt.  He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” 1 Samuel 25:39

Let’s face it, a just sentence feels good.  If it didn’t, the Lifetime Movie Network would be out of business.  There would be no abyss-falling villains at the end of the Disney movies, and there would certainly be no Court TV.  When the unrighteous get theirs, and we get to witness it, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes over us as humans. As much as we’d like to be pious and beyond such pettiness, it secretly feels so good to watch evil perish. Especially if we’ve seen the victims of their wrath suffer.

            

I admit it; this is why I love the story of Abigail in the Bible. She was married to an idiot. Nabal’s name actually means “foolish” and, worse than being a fool, he was a fool for no purpose – other than to be contrary and show his power. He might have sacrificed his entire family and all his servants for the opportunity to exert his rights over David and not give David and his men a few of his flock. Out of his foolishness came pure wickedness.

            

Fearing that her household and her children would perish over Nabal’s decision, Abigail defied her husband and humbly appeared before David with supplies and an apology on behalf of Nabal’s behavior. She asked David to remember her when he was able.

            

Abigail, being a smart wife, waited until morning after Nabal had slept off his drink to tell him of her actions. Rather than being grateful for being alive, Nabal was struck like a stone and died ten days later.

            

Now, I’m not wishing anyone dead. I’m only saying that, when the right man gets his, there’s such a beauty in earthly justice. Abigail’s fortitude and humility saved the lives of many. Not only that, but David returned for her later and asked her to be his wife. A vast improvement after Nabal, I’m certain. 

            

I love this story of how a woman put her faith in God and defied evil. Naturally, we don’t always get to see God’s justice here on earth, but we must remember God’s love for us when all feels lost.

Today’s Prayer: Dear Jesus, this morning, I pray that I would hear Your righteous voice in my ear, that I would do the best thing for You and for all the people You have entrusted me to care for and look after. When I feel all hope is lost, remind me that You hate evil so much more than I am capable of, and that Your will should be done here on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

Kristin Billerbeck is a best-selling author of over 30 novels and novellas.  She is a Christy award nominee, a two-time ACFW Book of the Year winner and the author of What a Girl Wants.  When not writing, Kristin is generally hovering over her four children and hanging out in Silicon Valley coffee shops. Visit her Website at www.KristinBillerbeck.com

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When the world wants happy endings

I write books.


And often those books deal with weighty issues: sexual abuse, spousal abuse, hypocrisy, trauma. Why would I write about such things? Mainly because injustice angers me. And part of the reason I write is my attempt to right the wrongs in this world.

Problem is, that kind of book doesn't sell. The world wants happy endings. Everything tied up. The hero getting the lady. The championship won. The marriage saved. The strained relationship restored.

I like happy endings too, particularly in my own life. And I like books where you see radical redemption. But I also appreciate truth-filled books, books that make me aware of an injustice I didn't know about. Books that teach me that humans made in the image of God can destroy or restore. Those books challenge me to think, to pray, to consider my own life.

I write this with a pained heart. A few weeks ago, I went to a conference in South Africa where I met a man from Iraq. Today he fears for his life simply because of his faith. His is a painful story, but one that needs to be told.

What I wrestle with as a novelist is this: do I bow to the market that longs for always happy endings, or do I continue to hit the hard issues? I understand that many of us read to escape this painful world. I get that. But my slot in this writing realm doesn't seem to be to write for escape. Others have been called to that, but not me.

So I'll write. Not to amplify my voice, but to tell the stories of those who are crying to be heard.

How about you? What are you called to write? Have you run away from that or bowed beneath it? Why?

Mary DeMuth is the author of nine books. Find out more at marydemuth.com

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