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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so,but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:1-4

His name is Justice and from where I sit on the front row, I assume his parents must be smiling because he is living into his name.

A humble minister, Justice comes to us from Jos, a small village in Nigeria once known for tin mining until the clash between Muslims and Christians changed their legacy. Most know Jos as the place where Boko Haram began; the place where 218 young girls remain held as hostages of atrocities “we cannot speak about.”

Jos is the place Justice calls home because we live in an upside down Kingdom.

Amidst the darkness in headline news, of bombs in Istanbul and Baghdad, shootings in Orlando, and attacks in Bangledesh, I can wake up forgetful, anxious, and feeling desperate. You?

But the testimony of one fiercely, brave soul reminds me that Justice perseveres because the One who is just sits on the throne.

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 2:7-8

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Justice makes a pact with his young children: they will choose death over surrender to evil. And those children, they keep him accountable because darkness isn’t a headline, it is a familiar piece of news in their Book of Life.

I listen and worry that I am a coward.

We proclaim truth by living it and watch the hopelessly ambivalent sit slack jawed and convicted by God’s grand perspective.

Justice proclaims the truth because justice believes that truth wins.

Today, as Americans celebrate the unsung heroes who risk it all for our daily freedoms, may we remember that true freedom isn’t about a comfortable livelihood but about living free because Christ died for us.

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Lord, make us restless for the rest that is only found in you. Spur us on with bold conviction to live into the name you have given each one of us as your children. Cause my mind to seek you when I become anxious. Help me to discern what my heart is saying as I listen for your voice through the headlines. Create a root of truth in my soul that cannot be pulled out by life’s circumstances. May eternal perspective be a pause in daily life over a moment of revelation quickly lost. Thank you for the the heroes who risk it all because their lives lead us to remember your faithfulness.

My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. Psalm 7:10-11

Who are the unsung heroes in your life?