The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (Proverbs 29:7)
A quick perusal of the use of the word “justice” in the Bible reveals something that is key to the nature of God. “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing” (Isaiah 61:8). Numerous times He is called a God of justice. Now about half the time this is tied to championing what is right and the judgment of wrongdoing, but half the time it is tied to the innocent, the poor and to foreigners — in other words, people who are not likely to receive just treatment. “Do not pervert justice or show partiality” (Deuteronomy 16:19).
It is a truth that those who question the existence of a loving God based on the poverty and oppression that is in the world (how could He allow such a thing?) would find, if they took to the word of God, a God who is just as concerned, if not, more concerned than they are about treating everyone justly. And if God is concerned about this, how can we not be? Or as my friend Tony Campolo used to say all the time, “Our hearts should be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” It definitely breaks the heart of God when the poor, the innocent and the foreigner are treated as less that those who are more privileged, or when someone is deprived of food, clothing and shelter for the crime of being born where they were born.
Or as Marti defines justice: “Is it just if where you live determines whether you live?” Who can control where they live — what family they were born into, what privileges they have or don’t have? This is an injustice because this is not a just world. We need to care about this and do what we can to right it through our support of those who are seeking to change these situations by providing food, shelter, small business loans and jobs that would not exist otherwise.
What does this mean for you and me today?
It means to seek, through the power of the HolySpirit, to support those whose lives are being threatened by where they live, to see everyone we meet as equally deserving of the rights and privileges we afford ourselves, and to treat every human being with the dignity that behooves a creation of God made in the image of God.
John Fischer The Catch 
I thank you, John and Marti for your outreach and ministering to us. I thank your children too. News item yesterday of an airline passenger denied medical attention reminded me of Marti’s life saving experience. I have wandered along my earthly path with guidance and rededication from the 70’s Movement. I am so glad for the experience. I do hold up that baby in the womb with dignity and with love, I hope the choice to birth life rather than termination is made. A horrendous predicament for all. Please Jesus, forgive us! Amen.
Thank you, John, for this timely reminder of God’s concern for justice, and that when He talks about justice He doesn’t just mean judging wrongdoing but also protecting and rescuing the innocent, the poor and foreigners. Marti’s analysis is incisive – “Is it just if where you live determines whether you live?” – and challenges us at every level: social and political, in our church programs, in the policies in our cities and how our nation treats the poor in other nations. Thanks for reminding us of Marti’s insight!