Gods Justice, in Injustice

Job 23:10

Devotional: Trusting God’s Justice in a World of Injustice
Scripture Reading: Job 23:10-12 (ESV)
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
As I was studying Job this morning, I couldn’t help but notice a thread running through these chapters—a tension between what we see in the world and what we know about God. So, I decided to pull on it a bit and see where it leads.
In Job 21, we find Job wrestling with a question that feels all too familiar: Why do the wicked seem to prosper? He looks around and sees people who reject God, living in comfort, wealth, and security, while he, a righteous man, is buried under suffering—loss of family, health, and peace. His friends, like Eliphaz in chapter 22, keep insisting that Job’s suffering must be his fault, a punishment for some hidden sin. They’re stuck in a worldview that says good people always prosper, and bad people always fail. But Job sees the world differently. He’s honest about the injustice he observes, where the wicked often thrive while the faithful struggle. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a question we still ask today.
Then, in chapter 23, Job shifts his focus. He’s desperate to find God, to plead his case directly before Him. He says, “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!” (Job 23:3). He’s not afraid to bring his questions and pain to God, but he also declares his trust: “He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job’s faith isn’t blind optimism. It’s a gritty, one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time determined trust that God is just, even when life feels unfair, and that God’s refining fire will ultimately reveal His purpose.
This hits home in our world today, doesn’t it? We scroll through social media, bombarded with images of influencers flaunting wealth, success, and perfect lives, while we’re grinding through layoffs, medical bills, or family struggles. The news cycles churn out stories of corruption, where the powerful seem to escape accountability, while ordinary people bear the weight of injustice. Maybe you’ve lost a job despite working hard, or you’ve watched someone less deserving get the promotion you earned. It’s easy to echo Job’s cry: “Why, God? Why do the wicked prosper while I’m struggling to keep my head above water?”
I started this channel because I got tired of the noise—tired of the world telling us that happiness comes from chasing wealth, status, or likes, when deep down, we know those things don’t satisfy. Like Job, we’re hungry for something solid to stand on, something unswerving. Job’s story reminds us that God sees the whole picture, even when we can’t. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary, and our suffering, though painful, is not wasted. God is refining us, shaping us for a purpose that outlasts this world. Job’s hope in chapter 23 points us to Jesus, our ultimate Advocate, who stands before God on our behalf. Through Him, we have a promise that no injustice will have the final word—God’s justice will.
Let’s pause for a moment and think about this. What’s an injustice you’re facing right now? Maybe it’s personal—a betrayal, a financial hit, or a health crisis. Or maybe it’s bigger, like systemic issues in your community or workplace. Whatever it is, Job’s story invites us to bring those questions to God, not to bury them. He can handle our doubts, our frustrations, even our anger. But like Job, we’re called to hold fast to God’s truth, to treasure His words more than our daily bread, and to trust that He’s working, even when we can’t see it.
Here’s a practical step for today: Take a moment to write down one injustice or struggle you’re facing. Be honest, like Job was. Then, next to it, write one truth about God’s character—maybe His justice, His faithfulness, or His promise to never leave you. If you’re not sure where to start, try reading Psalm 73, which echoes Job’s struggle with the prosperity of the wicked and points to God’s ultimate justice. You could also pray this truth over your situation or share it with a trusted friend who can pray with you. This isn’t about pretending the pain isn’t real—it’s about anchoring yourself in the One who is more real than the pain.
Let’s carry this forward. Job’s faith wasn’t in his circumstances; it was in the God who knows every step he takes. In a world full of injustice, we can stand firm, knowing that our trials are not the end of the story. Jesus, our Redeemer, has secured a future where every wrong will be made right, every tear will be wiped away, and we’ll see God face-to-face. That’s the hope we hold onto, the superhuman, supernatural, superduper truth that carries us through.
Prayer
Dear God, You see the injustices in my life and in this world, just as You saw Job’s pain. Thank You for being a God who knows every step I take, who refines me through trials, and who promises justice in Your perfect time. When I feel overwhelmed by unfairness, help me to trust in Your character and to treasure Your Word above all else. Give me the courage to bring my questions to You and the faith to believe that You’re working all things for my good and Your glory. Let me rest in the hope of Jesus, my Advocate, who assures me of a future where every wrong is made right. In His holy name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
1. What injustice or struggle in your life feels similar to Job’s questions in chapters 21–23? How can you bring that honestly to God in prayer?
2. How does Job’s trust in God’s refining process encourage you to hold fast in your own challenges?
3. What’s one practical way you can remind yourself of God’s justice and faithfulness today—maybe through scripture, prayer, or a conversation with a friend?