This is what the Lord says:“Maintain justice

and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
    and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
² Blessed is the one who does this—
    the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
    and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”  Isaiah 56

Salvation for Israel was close at hand.  Many times there is a tendency to become complacent when change appears to be too much in the future.  Isaiah knows that it is important for them to follow God closely to be ready for His coming. When we are complacent in life, those who are marginal in life suffer.  Internalizing life so that it is about me, can lead to caring less about others. 

To maintain justice is to preserve or perpetuate the fairness towards others in protecting their rights and punishing wrongs.  It’s not right to see a person being mistreated and do nothing.  We are not to be passive when we see others are being taken advantage of.  Maybe they are less educated, maybe they made wrong choices and maybe they are repeat offenders.  But it is never okay to turn a blind eye when we see that abuse of rights are occurring.

Isaiah says there is a blessing that is reserved for those who stay on track to live rightly.  Not only in the care of the needs of others who are being mistreated, but also being diligent in the affairs that concern God.  Keeping the Sabbath can fulfill the legal aspect of following God.  But when a person is active in keeping the Sabbath holy (separated unto God), it moves from keeping the law to honoring the law giver. 

When Isaiah writes that we should “maintain justice”, does it cause you to yawn?  Be careful that agreeing with the scriptures mandates is equivalent to living out its demands.  Just because you read it and think “that’s really good, I needed to know this” does not mean that you are “doing” the passage.  Your motivation must lead to action that is aligned with what God has just revealed to you.

Do what is right for others and for you own life.  Strongly pursue following God.  There is a blessing that God gives to those who are seeking.