The recent fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police officers in America have once again brought the topic of unjust killings of black men and women to the world's attention.
Street protests have already been organised and no doubt will continue to take place for some time. The slogan black lives matter will once again dominate hashtags and headlines. And a popular chant: "No justice, no peace" will be shouted as activists march on roads and demand that justice is served.
Although violence is not the answer, the phrase holds true. Without justice we struggle to find peace in our hearts, let alone our communities and our world as a whole.
Even though our relationship with Jesus brings us as individuals peace and restoration, we have to do our bit for that to ever be a reality for those around us. That means pursuing peace and equality and turning our backs on vengeance.
We have various systems in place tasked with ensuring that justice is carried out, but they are not infallible. In fact, as recent events show, there is a lot of work needed to bring them up to a humane and just standard.
However, even though at times like this it can be hard, we shouldn't lose hope in justice and start to seek revenge or resort to violence.
But that doesn't mean that we respond with silence and inaction. As Christians, we're called to speak out and stand up for those who are victims of oppression – "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless," Isaiah 1:17 – and our voices should be heard loudly at times like this.
Here are seven Bible verses to restore your faith in justice, remind you of how God values it and why you should, too.
Remember, God's justice reigns supreme. It is unfailing and final.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Deuteronomy 16:20 – "Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Amos 5:24 – "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Romans 12:19 – "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
Isaiah 30:18 – "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Psalm 106:3 – "Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right."
Isaiah 61:8 – "For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them."
