Discover His heart: “God presides over heaven’s court” and He will judge the judges
@Psalm 82
Raise your hand if you think the judicial system of our government is always strong, ethical and carries out moral judgments at all times? I’m sure the response was weak. Just like our challenges today, Asaph was having trouble finding honorable judges in Israel, “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”(2-4) Sounds like an indictment and a mandate all in one.
Needless to say, the judicial branch of the government that interprets and carries out the laws of the land is a powerful entity. Only when those judgments are based on God’s moral laws can we as Christians be certain that justice has prevailed rather than opinions, social dictates and godless influences. While many excellent judges carry out their responsibilities across our land, I’m concerned just like Asaph about the decisions of judges that favor the wicked and fail to uphold the rights of our beliefs, traditional families, unborn babies and vulnerable children.
Psalm 82 makes it clear that God is the judge of the judges, and their day in court will come one day. “God presides over heaven’s court…you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler. Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.” (1,7-8) God always has the last word, but in the meantime what can we do?
Clearly, making careful decisions at the ballot box instead of mindlessly approving judicial appointments is a start, as well as voicing our concerns to our local, state and federal government leadership when immoral judgments are made.
Even more critical is praying for them, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Our prayers may turn the hearts of immoral or complacent judges to the saving knowledge of God’s truth, and when that happens, we can be assured that we will remain one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and JUSTICE for all. Sounds like a guarantee, a vow…a pledge!
Moving Forward: I will pray that my judgments today are pure as I preside over my little sphere of influence, and I will pray for all those with significant influence and judgment over my nation.
Tomorrow @ Proverbs 10
Phyllis Benigas 