Life's Not Fair: Finding Hope in an Unjust World

Have you ever looked around and thought, "Life just isn't fair"? Maybe you've witnessed someone cheat their way to success, lie to keep their job, or even abuse others - and yet they seem to prosper. Meanwhile, those who strive to be honest, humble, and good often get passed over, stepped on, or forgotten. It's frustrating, isn't it? It can make you angry, question your beliefs, and wonder if doing the right thing is even worth it.

But here's the thing: this isn't just a modern problem. The ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes grapples with these very same issues. In chapter 8, we're confronted with a stark reality - sometimes, the wicked are honored and praised, even in the very places where they committed their injustices. The author, known as the Koheleth (or Teacher), laments seeing the wicked buried with honor, coming and going from holy places, and receiving praise in the cities where they caused harm. He calls this "meaningless" - a word that echoes throughout Ecclesiastes, pointing to the seeming absurdity of life.

This pain is intensified when we ignore or whitewash the actions of others, especially after they've died. We've all heard the phrase "speak no ill of the dead," but there's a difference between avoiding slander and canonizing someone's behavior as if they were pure and blameless. When we do this, we risk forgetting their victims and sweeping real wrongs under the rug. The Teacher calls this out as "havel" - vanity, absurdity, smoke.

One of the most challenging aspects of this unfairness is that God's judgment often isn't immediate. We're an impatient people, aren't we? We want justice now, preferably with a bolt of lightning striking down those who've wronged us. But because sentence against evil deeds isn't carried out quickly, people's hearts become fully set on doing wrong. They sin more boldly, thinking they're getting away with it.

Yet the Koheleth reminds us of a profound truth: justice delayed is not justice denied. Even if a sinner does evil a hundred times and seems to live a long, prosperous life, those who fear God will ultimately be better off. This isn't wishful thinking; it's a conviction grounded in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of all wisdom.

The Teacher wrestles deeply with this tension. He looks at God, acknowledging His goodness and power, and can't help but ask, "How can You allow such suffering?" But instead of trying to fully explain away this mystery, he does something remarkable - he points to the mystery itself as evidence of God's transcendence. Some things are beyond our full comprehension, and that's okay.

So what are we to do in this unfair world? The Koheleth offers a surprising piece of advice: "I commend joy." He encourages us to eat, drink, and be joyful, to find contentment in our daily toils. This isn't a shallow "eat, drink, and be merry" attitude, but rather a call to hold onto the simple gifts God has given us. In a world of injustice, we can still find solace in food, fellowship, and moments of joy.

This reminds me of a powerful quote from John Little, a former slave: "They say slaves are happy because they laugh and are merry. I myself and three or four others have received 200 lashes in the day and had our feet in fetters. Yet at night we would sing and dance and make others laugh at the rattling of our chains. Happy men we must have been! We did it to keep down trouble, to keep our hearts from being completely broken."

Sometimes, holding onto these small joys is what keeps us from being utterly broken in a broken world. When everything seems to be going wrong, when the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, we can still choose to focus on the blessings we have. This is why practices like keeping a gratitude journal can be so powerful - they help us see the good even when our pain threatens to blind us to it.

Here's a challenging thought: what if we started expecting the world to be unfair? Not in a cynical way, but as a recognition of its broken state. This doesn't mean we stop fighting injustice, but it might help us avoid being constantly surprised and disillusioned when we encounter it.

Instead, we're called to live by faith. Not a blind faith, but an informed, humble, trusting faith. We trust that God, the Creator who is above all, sees more than we do and knows more than we do. We can rest in Him, knowing that He will judge justly in the end - something we ourselves cannot always do.

This fear of God isn't about being terrified of an unpredictable deity. It's about living in reverent awe before a holy God. For those doing wrong, it might indeed mean shaking in their boots. But for those seeking to do right, it means humbly approaching our Father and King with wonder and respect.

As we navigate this unfair world, we're encouraged to enjoy the gifts God gives us without fear or guilt. Food, laughter, love, beauty - these are from His hand. And we're called to hope in His promises. As the prophet Habakkuk declared, one day "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." That day isn't here yet, but we can live in light of its coming.

The mystery of God's justice isn't just a puzzle for us to solve. It's an invitation to learn how to live within this broken world, trusting that His justice will ultimately prevail. Yes, sometimes the wicked are praised. Sometimes justice seems elusive. Sometimes the righteous suffer. But we fix our eyes on the One who is perfectly just and faithful, believing that in His perfect timing, all will be made right.

If you're reading this and you've been deeply hurt, if justice has been denied and you're struggling with bitterness, know that your feelings are valid. No one can blame you for the pain you feel. But holding onto that bitterness ultimately only hurts you more. The challenge - and it is a mighty challenge - is to turn our focus to "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Philippians 4:8).

In the end, we're called to trust that even when evil seems to go unpunished, God is still at work. Our task is to turn ourselves over to Him, to focus on the blessings - even the smallest ones - and to bring more of those good things into our lives and the lives of others. In doing so, we bear witness to a hope that transcends the unfairness of this world, pointing to the day when all things will be made new.