When The Scales Of Justice Feel Broken | A Cry For Righteousness

The scent of old hymnals and fresh coffee still hung in the air. Sarah sat in her usual pew, the wooden bench smooth and familiar under her hands. The morning service had been powerful, filled with heartfelt worship and a moving teaching from Isaiah. The congregation, a vibrant mix of Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua, had just taken up an offering for their local food bank and an orphanage they supported in Israel. As the baskets passed, hand to hand, she saw the sincere smiles, the quiet prayers whispered over the gifts, the tangible heart to do good. It was a sacred transaction of faith, love, and community.

Later that evening, as Sarah scrolled through the news on her phone, her heart sank. A headline blared: “FBI Investigates Megachurch in Texas for Financial Misconduct.” Another detailed charges against a small parish in Georgia. Her spirit grieved for any wrongdoing, if it existed. But then, almost in the same breath, an ad flashed across her screen: “Visit fabulous Las Vegas! World-class nightclubs, 24/7 casinos, and the best dispensaries on the strip!” She sat back, a knot of confusion and righteous anger tightening in her stomach. The same federal agency meticulously investigating churches for alleged financial crimes seemed to turn a blind eye to the state-sanctioned hedonism and exploitation in Nevada—industries built on addiction, the objectification of women, and the erosion of the family.

If you, like Sarah, have felt this same bewildering dissonance, if you’ve questioned the seeming double standard and wondered where true justice has gone, know this first: you are not alone. Your feelings are not unspiritual; they are a reflection of the deep value for righteousness and fairness that Adonai Himself has placed within your heart.

The Ancient Cry: "How Long, O Lord?"

This feeling—that the scales of justice are tilted—is not a new one. The psalmists and prophets cried out with the same anguish, looking at a world where wickedness often seemed to prosper while the faithful suffered.

Psalm 94:3-7 (TLV) "Adonai,how long will the wicked—how long will the wicked triumph? They pour out arrogant words. All evildoers boast. They crush Your people, Adonai. They afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Then they say, “The Lord does not see. The God of Jacob does not understand.”"

This Psalm is a raw and honest prayer. It doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of evil or the frustration of seeing it go unchecked. The psalmist names the specific victims: the widow, the stranger, the fatherless—the most vulnerable in society. When we see institutions seemingly targeting communities of faith while ignoring systems that prey on the vulnerable, we are echoing this ancient, godly cry. It is right to be grieved by the exploitation of the weak and the potential targeting of the righteous. This verse gives us permission to bring our confusion and anger directly to God, trusting that He does see and He does understand, even when human systems fail.

The Warning Against Hypocrisy: A Lesson from Yeshua

Our Messiah, in His earthly ministry, saved His most stern warnings not for the obvious sinners, but for the religious leaders who wielded authority without integrity. He exposed the hypocrisy of applying standards to others that they themselves did not keep.

Matthew 7:3-5 (TLV) "Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye,but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there is a plank in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Yeshua’s words cut to the heart of the issue. The problem is not necessarily the investigation of potential wrongdoing—accountability is a biblical principle. The problem is the glaring imbalance. It is the appearance of a "speck" inspection in one community while a "plank" of state-sanctioned vice is ignored in another. This double standard causes the world to question the morality of the institutions themselves. As believers, this passage not only helps us identify hypocrisy in the world but also serves as a crucial check for our own hearts. Are we quick to judge the world while ignoring sin within our own walls? We are called to the highest standard of integrity, first in our own lives and communities.

Where Does Our Trust Ultimately Lie?

In moments like these, when human systems reveal their flaws and biases, we are faced with a critical choice: where will we place our ultimate trust?

Proverbs 3:5-6 (TLV) "Trust in Adonai with all your heart,lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight."

This beloved proverb offers us profound peace. Our "own understanding" sees the headlines and feels outrage and fear. It sees the imbalance and questions the motives of man. But Adonai calls us to a higher perspective—to trust in His ultimate sovereignty, even over the FBI, governments, and all earthly powers. He is not surprised by hypocrisy. This doesn’t mean we are passive; it means our primary response is one of faith. We commit our ways to Him—our actions, our advocacy, our prayers—and trust that He will guide our steps and straighten the crooked paths of injustice in His perfect timing.

Our Response: Lighthouses in the Fog of Confusion

So, what do we do with these feelings? How do we respond as a Messianic community rooted in Torah and grace?

1. Pray with Precision: We are commanded to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Let us pray specifically for the FBI and all law enforcement. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and impartial justice. Pray for agents and directors to have encounters with the living God. Pray for righteousness to flow through our nation's institutions.

2. Exemplify Integrity: In our own congregations, homes, and ministries, we must be above reproach. Our financial dealings should be transparent. Our motives should be pure. We must be the light that shines so brightly that any scrutiny would only reveal the goodness of God.

3. Advocate for the Truly Vulnerable: While we monitor potential overreach, let us pour our energy into the issues the Bible is clear about: defending the orphan, the widow, and the foreigner. Let our outrage be channeled into active support for pregnancy resource centers, anti-trafficking organizations, and ministries that help those truly crushed by systemic evil.

4. Guard Our Hearts: It is easy to become consumed by outrage and develop a spirit of bitterness or distrust. We must guard our hearts, remembering that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). We stand against injustice without being defined by anger.

Walking Forward Together in Faith and Mission

Dear Chevra, dear family, these times are confusing for a reason. The enemy would love nothing more than to see us consumed by anger, paralyzed by fear, or divided by suspicion. But we are called to be a people of hope, a community of unwavering faith, and a beacon of practical love.

Here at [Your Congregation/Blog Name], our mission remains steadfast: to proclaim the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, to live as a Torah-pursuant community in the grace He provides, and to be a force for tangible good in a world that desperately needs it. We are committed to integrity in our operations and compassion in our outreach.

If this message has resonated with you, if you feel called to stand for righteousness in these complex times, we invite you to join us in this mission. You can stand with us in several powerful ways:

· Through Prayer: Pray for our leadership, for our financial stewardship, and for our protection as we seek to be a light.

· Through Encouragement: Send us a message, share a word of support. Let us know how we can pray for you as well. We are in this together.

· Through Sharing: Share this article with others who need this biblical perspective.

· Through Giving: If you feel led, your financial support allows us to continue our work in the community, support Israel, and spread a message of hope and integrity without fear or favor. Every gift is stewarded with prayer and utmost care.

We are not alone in this. Adonai Tzva'ot, the Lord of Hosts, is with us. He sees, He knows, and He is still on the throne. Let us continue to be the faithful, discerning, and loving community He has called us to be, trusting that He will ultimately right every wrong and justice will roll down like waters.

Shalom Aleichem,