Not Guilty. Not Innocent.

Cleared of murdering her young daughter Caylee, Casey Anthony, 25, was instead found guilty of just four counts of lying to law enforcement and could be released from jail as early as Thursday. The jaw-dropping verdict stunned many who had been following the case and were horrified to hear that Casey's little daughter had been buried in a swamp... and that Casey had not reported her disappearance to police, but that instead the single mom went out shopping and drinking and partying for 31 days as if she had not a care in the world.

Casey Anthony juror Jennifer Ford said that she and the other jurors cried and were "sick to our stomachs" after voting to acquit Casey Anthony of charges that she killed her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

"I did not say she was innocent," said Ford, who had previously only been identified as juror No. 3. "I just said there was not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was, you cannot determine what the punishment should be…"

"Everyone wonders why we didn't speak to the media right away," Ford said. "It was because we were sick to our stomach to get that verdict. We were crying, and not just the women. It was emotional and we weren't ready. We wanted to do it with integrity and not contribute to the sensationalism of the trial."   (ABCnews.com)

The verdict, while hailed by some as a triumph of law, has been decried by others as a travesty of justice.  In truth, we may never really know whether or not little Caylee died by accident or at the hand of her mother.  It was either a horrific accident... or a horrific murder. 

Sadly, God's Word tells us that we can and should expect more and more of such terrible things as the history of humankind comes to its close.  St. John's Revelation describes even more shocking events -- especially crimes and brutality against God's chosen people -- in the closing months and days of the world. Thankfully, our study of the book of Revelation also gives us a glimpse of the Lamb of God, who suffered greatly... and now reigns in victory over all.  

The suffering and injustice Jesus endured was not the end of His story... or ours.  True, like Caylee we may not experience much justice in this world... nor should we expect it.  Our own Lord and Savior was abused and mistreated by sinful men, yet as a lamb going to the slaughter, He did not open His mouth.  In meekness, Jesus endured shame, suffering, and the cross for those loved Him... AND for those who mocked, shamed, and crucified Him.

As His followers, marked by His name, we should expect little different. But even when injustice seems all around us, and unfair verdicts are handed down by the courts of human opinion, we take great comfort that the final victory has already been won by our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord Jesus Christ... and shared with us.  

In His wounds, we find pardon for our crimes.

In His reign, we discover peace amidst the chaos.

And in His time, perfect justice will be done.