When God Seems Unfair

You say, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” Hear now . . . is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?”

Ezekiel 18:25

That’s not fair! Did you ever say that to your parents? Most of us have, and in some cases we have spoken the truth. But usually children feel that way because they’re unable to see things from a more mature perspective.

In Isaiah 55:8–9, our heavenly Father says: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. . . . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Abraham might have wondered if God was being too harsh with the population of Sodom, but he contented himself with this assurance: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).

He shall! God is righteous—that is, He is morally right, and He is right in His decisions and in all His ways. But God tempers His justice with mercy. If you sometimes feel God has treated you unfairly, tell Him so. Then ask Him to give you a higher understanding of His ways and a deeper dependence on His grace. You can trust the Judge of all the earth to do right.