Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.
On July 5, 2011, Casey Anthony was found “not guilty” of murdering her little child, Caylee Anthony, who was not quite 3 years old at the time. Millions of Americans watched the trial and the final reading of the verdict. Most observers were shocked that Casey would be exonerated when the evidence seemed so clear that she was guilty.
This week we have now learned of more evidence that seems to point to her guilt. Apparently, detectives overlooked computer searches that someone did on her computer for “full-proof suffocation methods.” This evidence was overlooked and, thus, never presented as a part of the prosecution’s case in her trial.
Her former attorney, Jose Baez, has come forth with his own explanation. He is suggesting that it may have been Casey’s father who was researching suicide methods.
Uh, yeah. Good one, Jose. So, tell us why her father then immediately logged into Myspace under Casey’s account just after performing that search.
That trial was reminiscent for me of a similar case many years ago. Perhaps you remember that one as well as I do. On October 3, 1995, televisions around the world aired one of the most widely-viewed television broadcasts in history: the reading of the verdict for the trial of O.J. Simpson. As the verdict was read, millions of Americans were shocked beyond belief that Simpson could be acquitted for a crime for which he clearly seemed to be guilty. Many felt that justice in America suffered a severe blow that day. Chaos and rioting followed in various places around the country as people reacted to this perceived injustice.
Over the past few decades, there have also been numerous significant rulings by justices around that country that have been perceived as being unjust. Every time that happens, people grieve. People truly long for justice. And when that is denied, it can bring great unrest to an individual and even to a nation.
The Scriptures tell us that God is just, and that brings a great sense of relief as we follow Him. Sometimes it appears on this earth that some people get away with certain evil actions. Yet God is certainly the One who is capable of bringing absolute justice to every single situation, and God’s justice extends beyond the grave.
Our hearts actually long for such justice, and yet each of us has a huge responsibility to live each day of our lives in light of that justice. It’s easy for us to think about how others will have to give an account to God, but it’s not so easy to see our own responsibility and how that applies to us.
There’s no action that actually takes place in private. There’s no word that goes unrecorded. There is no thought that escapes His awareness. At some point we will have to give an account of everything, and God will deal with us according to a perfect standard of justice.
God’s Word is the guidebook to help us to live our lives in accordance with His justice. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures are a part of His justice in that He gives us everything we need to know to live life as we ought. May we all use His Word as that guidebook for life.
TODAY’S BIG IDEA:
“God’s justice can bring peace to our hearts and purity to our actions.”
Veritas Church (Cincinnati, OH)
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Hey, I did not know you had a blog like this! Can’t believe she was acquitted. There had to be some evidence or elements of the charge that the jury did not have. Poor prosecution seems to be to blame here.
Yes, I believe you are right, Joe. I think the new evidence that came out this week is a good example of the jury not knowing the whole story.
When are you starting YOUR blog? Or have you already begun??