Artful Justice
“Then I looked up and had a vision. Behold, I saw four horns. I asked the angel who was talking to me, ‘What do these represent?’ And he answered, ‘These are the four horns that scattered Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel.’ Then Yahweh opened my eyes to see four conquering craftsmen. And I asked, ‘What are they coming to do?’ He replied, ‘They have come to terrify and hammer out justice among the nations who lifted their horns to completely crush the land of Judah and scatter its inhabitants.’” Zechariah 1:18–21 (TPT)
Throughout history, God’s people have lived within systems of worldly authority—either through election, because of misplaced loyalty, or as a result of the outworking of evil on the earth.
It’s part of our story.
In fact, we have been called to “seek the peace and prosperity” of the cities in which we reside (Jeremiah 29:7)—in part by being “subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (1 Peter 2:17), even to the extent that “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1–2).
But it’s not the end of our story.
When governing systems inevitably fail to reflect the nature of the Authority they were meant to represent, God brings His heart to bear in judgment—and artisans become the implements of His perfect justice.
In the passage above, we read Zechariah’s declaration of God’s plan for provision in His reawakened family: “Return to me, and I will return to you.”
The imagery called to mind, however, is not that of the poor, tired, and hungry filing back into the way it always was. We see an explosion of craftsmanship and ingenuity—a creative partnership with God Himself—that not only reimagined the beauty of the city and the Temple within it, but also redefined a people’s identity: “They have come to terrify and hammer out justice among the nations…”
A renaissance of justice. A creative revolution.
This chain of events is as old as humanity itself: a turning away, exile, repentance, awakening, and restoration through a divinely creative resurgence.
Today is no different. The voice of the Spirit of God calls us again unto the truth of who we are.
Will we answer the injustices of worldly authorities with worldly means, or will we allow the artistry of God’s justice to shape the city we inhabit?
The answer has been woven into your soul.
Today, we ask that Jesus reignites the passions He has placed within us as we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4).
A Liturgy for Beginning an Artistic Work
(via The Rabbit Room)
O Holy Trinity
I offer to You all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength this day. In Your mercy, hear my prayer, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(A moment of silence is kept)
O Father, You who are the Creator of all things:
I praise You this day, and I place myself before You in silence. Speak, for Your servant is listening.
(A moment of silence is kept)
I praise You, O God, for being the Source of Life,
The Architect of Creation, the Originator of all good things, In Heaven and on Earth.
I praise You for making me in Your image. I praise You for making me fearfully and wonderfully so.
(Gesturing to each part of your body)
Bless now my hands and my feet, my head and my heart, My eyes and my ears, my mouth and my nose.
(With hands opened in supplication)
Grant me fresh ideas, O God.
Fill me with new vigor.
Order my steps.
Bless my work, so that You may fulfill Your
Creative purposes in and through me.
I pray this in the name of the Infinitely Imaginative One. Amen.
(A moment of silence is kept)