"Justice means much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts.  It is the old name for everything we should now call 'fairness';  it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life.  And Fortitude includes both kinds of courage--the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that 'sticks it' under pain.  'Guts' is perhaps the nearest modern English.  You will notice, of course, that you cannot practise any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play."  Mere Christianity

I see here another balance I need in my life.  I need to have the fortitude to fight for justice for others.  I need to pursue a ruthless honesty, keep my promises, always seek to do what is right for other people and put them first.  But at the same time, when someone does me wrong or, more likely, when I think they have done me wrong, when I haven't gotten a fair shake, when someone hasn't been honest with me, or kept their promise to me--it is then that I need the fortitude to forgive.

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" (Zechariah 7:9)

Father, help me to have this balance in my life between seeking justice for others and yet forgiving others when they have been unjust to me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for living a perfect life on this earth that I might receive your righteousness as a gift.  Thank you for dying on the cross for me that I might receive forgiveness for all of my unjust acts and words and thoughts.

I praise you as my crucified and resurrected Lord.  As the ever-living and life-giving One, come and live in me afresh today by your Holy Spirit.  Live out through me a life of justice and fortitude, mercy and forgiveness, to your glory.  Amen.