Justice Shall Flourish in His Time: Thoughts from Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi
- Alvin Barnes
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
By Alvin Barnes of Jackson Mississippi
“Justice shall flower in his days. May he rule from sea to sea, and profound peace till the moon is no more. From the River to the ends of the earth.”“ Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.”
Those lines have been echoing in my heart. They come from a royal prayer that longs for a leader who brings real justice and real peace. Not the quick fix. Not the headline moment. Justice that flowers. Peace that lasts. As I begin this new year, I want to live and lead in a way that lets that vision take root in me and in the work I do.
What justice looks like in real life
Justice is not a theory for a classroom. Justice is a way of treating people in front of you today. The psalm says the righteous ruler rescues the poor when they cry out. He has pity on the lowly and the afflicted. He saves lives. That is personal. That is practical. That is the kind of leadership I want to practice.
When a neighbor needs help with a form or a phone call, justice shows up as patient time and real guidance. When a client is confused, justice looks like clear language and fair terms. When a team member is struggling, justice sounds like a listening ear and a plan that leads them forward. Justice is dignity in action.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
From sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth
Those words stretch my imagination. They remind me that the purpose of good work is bigger than my corner. In Jackson, we know what it means to love a place and still dream beyond it. I want the things I build to serve my block and bless people I may never meet. I want the way I carry myself to reflect a kingdom that is wider than county lines and deeper than any personal plan.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
The poor, the lowly, the overlooked
The psalm promises rescue for the poor, protection for the vulnerable, and a hand up for those who have no one to help. I have lived long enough to know what it feels like to be misunderstood and to start again. Mercy saved me. The community raised me. That is why my work must remember the ones who are easy to miss.
If you lead a business, you can write policies that do not punish honest mistakes. If you serve customers, you can price with integrity and build options that meet people where they are. If you manage a team, you can celebrate quiet excellence and open doors for new voices. Small choices grow into a culture of care.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
A New Year's intention
This New Year, I choose gratitude for the people who have known me longest. I honor my mother, who has watched me learn, fall, stand, and become. I will listen closely to the voices that shaped me. I will show the same patient care to the people I serve. I will let God teach me how to be direct and kind at the same time. I will try to live so that justice can flower in my days and peace can take root around me.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
A simple practice for this week
Name one person who needs rescue and relief. Do one concrete thing to help.
Review one policy or habit that creates pressure without purpose. Replace it with a fair step that builds trust.
Write a thank-you note to the person who taught you what real justice looks like.
Pray for peace in your home, your street, and your city. Then act in line with that prayer.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
May his name be blessed forever. As long as the sun, may his name remain. In him may all the families of the earth be blessed. May all nations speak of his happiness. And may we live so that these words are more than a song.
With hope,
Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi
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