Editor’s note: As Loma Linda University Health begins a massive construction project to build the new adult and children’s hospital towers, the chaplains invite members of the campus to pray and fast each Tuesday, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we continue to grow. Below is a devotional from a series in News of the Week based on the biblical book of Nehemiah, in which Nehemiah faced a massive building project of his own.
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“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Justice is a moral imperative. It’s tempting to read Micah and interpret it to mean that we need to be treated with more respect, or we need to get what we think we deserve. But the verse talks about doing justice, not receiving it — and there is a big difference. God is calling us to live with integrity and treat people justly.
Nehemiah chapter 5 continues the story of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. A group of workers came to Nehemiah, complaining that they were going into debt in order to purchase food to feed their families and pay the king’s taxes.
Nehemiah was incensed when he learned that it was other Jews who were charging them interest on their loans and increasing their debt load to the point that they were losing their property.
He took up their cause, calling together the Jewish officials. Chastising them, he bluntly said, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God … ?” (verse 9). He proceeded to give instructions that they must return the fields and olive groves to the original owners and stop charging interest. It was a bold move! But Nehemiah saw the injustice that was occurring and stepped in to remedy the situation.
Justice is defined as righteousness, equitableness or moral rightness. In a sense, God calls us to be moral compasses in the world, helping to ensure that others are treated fairly. Christians, above all people, know the worth of a person because God died for each one. We have the privilege to make certain that they are treated rightly. When we witness others being diminished, it is our responsibility to step in and speak the truth. One of our greatest joys can come from making certain that each person in our circle of influence is treated like the child of the King that they are!
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director
Employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center