Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Lord Shall Judge the World (Ps 9)


“But the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness” (vs7-8).

The direction of worship is to God Almighty, the Savior from sin. We read, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (vs1-2). We don't praise anyone or anything less. He's saved us, therefore, He's everything, having given us all. He alone keeps us, loves sinners, and He will vindicate us in the end, proving there's a reward for the righteous.

He sides with the righteous against the wicked. We read, “For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever” (vs4-5).  He fights for the right side, utterly destroying the rebellious, so we can rest assured that wickedness won't prosper. Ultimately, cheaters will never win.

Therefore, seek the Lord.  We read, “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You” (vs9-10).  Don't seek refuge somewhere else. Seek safety and power from Him who gives it!  You don't run outside during a storm.  You don't sit outside in the rain.  You go to safety, and the Lord's our strength.  Therefore, trust in the All Powerful who'll do you good. 

The Savior of the afflicted tells us to talk, sing, and declare His greatness, so that others may be helped.  He says, “Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted” (vs11-12). Communicate God's goodness.  Tell it, and don't keep it to yourself.  This is to be proclaimed, so that others, poor and weary, may be saved

Indeed, joy fits salvation. He says, “I will rejoice in Your salvation” (vs14).  Having God, the Son, and the Spirit, we're not miserable smile-misers.  We express the satisfaction of salvation, the beauty of surrender, and the spiritual gifts of love, joy, and peace.  We show what we know!

Finally, Judgment Day is sure, because the righteous wait patiently for it. We read, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever” (vs17-18). Christ, like us, committed His cause to the Judge, waiting patiently for vindication.  And now, the Judge must punish wickedness, or the hope of the righteous is a lie.  He must punish wickedness, or we have no reward for all that we've suffered, resisting sin.

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Heshimu Colar, Pastor

Heshimu Colar, Pastor
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