Praising God for His Justice
The Cry for Justice
Today’s reading: Psalm 140-144
Psalm 140:1, Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men.”
When we closely examine the popular choruses that churches sing as part of their worship set, the vast majority of them (if not all) focus on the love, grace, and goodness of God. There are very few who praise God for His justice and His judgment upon sin. However, allowing sin to go unchecked and unjudged not only involves being complacent toward sin but also condones it. Passive inaction toward sin is to affirm it. There is little difference between those who accept sin and those who remain passive in the face of evil. A central theme found throughout the psalms is the celebration of God’s justice. In Revelation 5, we see the vast hosts of heaven joining in an anthem of resounding praise, not for God’s salvation, but for the justice of Christ as He executes judgment upon the earth. To sing of God’s goodness and holiness requires also singing of His justice and judgment upon sin. Therefore, it should not surprise us that one of the themes in Israel’s hymnology is the cry for, and the celebration of, God's judgment upon sin and those who act with impunity.
In Psalm 140, David prays for deliverance from those who are evil. David understood the pain and suffering that people can cause when they reject God’s word and attack those who live righteously. The hearts of those who reject God start with their words (vs. 3). They attack and seek to destroy others with the power of their language. They verbally oppose others and sow discord through their speech. Instead of affirming the truth, they verbally attack God's people. However, they do not just attack with their words; they also devise evil violence to destroy the righteous. Because of their rebellion against God, they attack anyone who claims to follow Him. Yet, their violence is not limited to words; it also manifests in their actions (vs. 4). These individuals set traps to ensnare the righteous with their sin (vs. 5).
In the face of the onslaught of sin and those who promote it, David turns to God for protection and deliverance. When sin seems to be winning the day and they attack both verbally and physically those who stand upon the truth of God, our only hope is for the return of Christ, when he will execute justice by judging those who promote sin. God is righteous and just, and while he may delay His judgment for a time, this delay should never be taken as a sign of God’s approval. There will come a time when God brings judgment. God will bring justice for the poor and uphold those who are afflicted by the rebellious actions of others. God is a just and holy God who will bring judgment upon those who reject and distort his law and persecute and threaten the righteous. This leads to the praise of God.
Today, as the world embraces sin and rejects God’s moral standard, there is still hope because a time will come when God acts with justice. He will judge sin and bring salvation to those who follow Him. God is holy, and He will execute perfect justice. While sin may seem to be prevailing, there will come a time when Christ will return to judge it. We can praise God in the midst of a broken world because He is just, and He will execute His justice in the future and establish righteousness throughout the land. Therefore, we do not need to lose heart, for we can be thankful that God will act with righteousness and justice in the future. In our prayers not only praise God for his love and goodness towards us, but also give thanks that he is just and holy, and he will bring judgment upon those who reject him, but salvation to those who embrace Him.
Today’s reading: Psalm 140-144
Psalm 140:1, Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men.”
When we closely examine the popular choruses that churches sing as part of their worship set, the vast majority of them (if not all) focus on the love, grace, and goodness of God. There are very few who praise God for His justice and His judgment upon sin. However, allowing sin to go unchecked and unjudged not only involves being complacent toward sin but also condones it. Passive inaction toward sin is to affirm it. There is little difference between those who accept sin and those who remain passive in the face of evil. A central theme found throughout the psalms is the celebration of God’s justice. In Revelation 5, we see the vast hosts of heaven joining in an anthem of resounding praise, not for God’s salvation, but for the justice of Christ as He executes judgment upon the earth. To sing of God’s goodness and holiness requires also singing of His justice and judgment upon sin. Therefore, it should not surprise us that one of the themes in Israel’s hymnology is the cry for, and the celebration of, God's judgment upon sin and those who act with impunity.
In Psalm 140, David prays for deliverance from those who are evil. David understood the pain and suffering that people can cause when they reject God’s word and attack those who live righteously. The hearts of those who reject God start with their words (vs. 3). They attack and seek to destroy others with the power of their language. They verbally oppose others and sow discord through their speech. Instead of affirming the truth, they verbally attack God's people. However, they do not just attack with their words; they also devise evil violence to destroy the righteous. Because of their rebellion against God, they attack anyone who claims to follow Him. Yet, their violence is not limited to words; it also manifests in their actions (vs. 4). These individuals set traps to ensnare the righteous with their sin (vs. 5).
In the face of the onslaught of sin and those who promote it, David turns to God for protection and deliverance. When sin seems to be winning the day and they attack both verbally and physically those who stand upon the truth of God, our only hope is for the return of Christ, when he will execute justice by judging those who promote sin. God is righteous and just, and while he may delay His judgment for a time, this delay should never be taken as a sign of God’s approval. There will come a time when God brings judgment. God will bring justice for the poor and uphold those who are afflicted by the rebellious actions of others. God is a just and holy God who will bring judgment upon those who reject and distort his law and persecute and threaten the righteous. This leads to the praise of God.
Today, as the world embraces sin and rejects God’s moral standard, there is still hope because a time will come when God acts with justice. He will judge sin and bring salvation to those who follow Him. God is holy, and He will execute perfect justice. While sin may seem to be prevailing, there will come a time when Christ will return to judge it. We can praise God in the midst of a broken world because He is just, and He will execute His justice in the future and establish righteousness throughout the land. Therefore, we do not need to lose heart, for we can be thankful that God will act with righteousness and justice in the future. In our prayers not only praise God for his love and goodness towards us, but also give thanks that he is just and holy, and he will bring judgment upon those who reject him, but salvation to those who embrace Him.
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