Justice--an opportunity

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 89:14 (NIV)

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 103:6 (NIV)

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”
Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV)

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 42:1 (NIV)

Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Correct oppression;
Bring justice to the fatherless,
Plead the widow’s cause.
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)

I’ve been thinking a lot about justice lately. What it is, what it means, what it looks like, how we as believers should work to bring it about. Perhaps the primary reason is that I’ve been accepted to go on this trip: http://www.theworldrace.org/?tab=humantrafficking&ppc=wrblog&campaign=wr_wrblog_061010.

My heart for years has ached with the plight of those suffering the cruelty of injustice at the hands of those who should protect them, and I have long desired to do something towards the end of bringing the hope and freedom we have in Christ, and wherever God makes it possible, to bring freedom of the physical body as well. For the millions upon millions (27 million is the oft-quoted figure, but how can that possibly be correct, given that it hasn’t changed in the 5.5 years I’ve known of it?) under the bondage and oppression of slavery, we should—and need to—be a voice. I’ve so much to say and have been writing more in the last few days than I have in months, so more will certainly be coming soon. For now, I ask for prayer. I need to raise around $9,500-$10,000 to make this trip happen, and I have an immediate need of a $150 deposit to hold my place on this trip. Please pray that the Lord will provide, and that He will begin to prepare my heart (and those of my teammates) for the difficulties sure to be encountered on this trip.

May God richly bless and keep you, my friends.

Bethany