Guardian of Justice! Proverbs 2:8

Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Proverbs 2:8

Why is it so disheartening to see a judge or a police officer break the law and be guilty of criminal activity?  The reason is that we look to these individuals to be ones who guard justice in our society.  When they are guilty of injustice - it shakes our confidence in the system.  It also leaves us without a guardian over issues of justice and righteousness. 

Here we are told something in Proverbs that should bless us greatly.  The ultimate guardian of justice is not a man.  The ultimate guardian of justice is God Himself.  Don't worry too much about the paths or the way of justice - at least to the point of thinking it won't exist any longer.  Such thoughts are false.  God Himself is the One who guards the paths of justice.  He watches over them and will one day bring every injustice to light - and each will receive the due penalty of their error.  That should both comfort and terrify us.  It should comfort us to know that this world is not spinning out of control.  God has been watching over it - and will continue to do so until the end of the age.  No one is going to "get away" with anything in the end.  God will call all men to stand before Him and give account for the deeds which they have done in their bodies.  Each will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  Justice will be fine and will be swift in that day and hour. 

But what about that nefarious enemy of justice - nepotism?  We've all watched as a relative or close friend is rescued from justice without any of the consequences of it being experienced.  The only ones punished in that scenario are those who had the unfortunate providence of working with the relative or close friend.  In the end justice is skewered and cooked on a spit - and all those watching have their faith in a truly just judge or official shaken.  There is where we can be assured that God is the true guardian of justice.  If there ever was a time when He would have decided to lapse into nepotism, it would have been with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  When He became sin - the entire universe watched with their breath held at what the Father would do.  True to His nature and His holiness - and the fact that He is the guardian of justice - God brought justice to bear on His Son, when He became sin for us.  Thus, we see that God was just - but because of His actions and the sacrifice of His Son - He was also the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. 

God also is known as the One who preserves the way of His godly ones.  This literally means He is watching, guarding, and protecting the course of their lives.  The descriptive language used here with the words "way" and "paths" has the idea of where we are going.  It also gives us the picture of a map of our lives laid out before us.  That map is known by the Lord - and He is watching over it.  When we choose to be one of His godly ones - and concern ourselves with justice as well - He watches over us.  That is not a promise we will never have problems - but it is a promise that nothing will happen to us that does not first come through God's purposes and plans for our lives. 

So don't fret over justice.  God, who watches over the paths of justice will deal with all matters on that great and glorious day when all men will have to stand and give an account for their lives and their choices.  Know also that as you live a godly life - that He is watching over you as well.  Your confidence in such things can be overwhelming - and hopefully your peace will be sufficient in every situation.