The verse of the month is Psalm 67:4 which reads: “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth."
He is a Just Judge
In today’s day and age, there are many calls for justice and equity coming from all directions. I think we can all agree that justice and equity are generally good ideas, but the rub comes in when we have to agree on whose justice and equity are going to be meted out. Fortunately for those of us who are believers and have given Christ lordship of our lives, we do not have to worry about the final judgement given by the Lord. This can help inform our views of justice and equity now. We can rest assured that he is a perfect judge, is impartial, and his timing is perfect.
Near the start of this year, Nathan Hull shared the message one Sunday and read from Jeremiah 9:24b, “I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.” This is not just one passage in the Bible, but it is repeated and paraphrased. Numerous examples are given of these qualities of God from Genesis to Revelation. We serve a God who’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. His concepts of love, justice, and righteousness apply to all people in all times, including us today. He truly is a perfect judge!
He Judges Every Nation Equitably
Another consistent thread through scripture is that God is Lord of ALL nations. No one race, nation, or people group has an exclusive claim on being God’s people. At the final judgement, those who are his will be a diverse multitude. Revelation 7:9 states, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from very nation, from all tribes and people and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” His people are those that put their saving faith in Him. There is no distinction, for all have sinned. This eliminates all partiality in rendering his verdicts.
He Judges at the Right Time
Meanwhile, Justice delayed is not justice withheld. The Lord’s timing is often much different than ours. Many times, we (myself included) don’t like that. But we must trust in a sovereign God whose ways are not our own. I am thankful for that. In Revelation 6:10, the martyred saints are asking the same question many people ask today: when will justice be served? It reads, “And they cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’” While not everyone is going to be a martyr for the faith, we still relate to that feeling and question.
Joyful at Judgement
There are numerous judgement episodes throughout Scripture. Many times, people questioned God’s methods, verdicts, and outcomes (e.g., Israel judging and being judged by the nations, Jonah in Nineveh, etc.). We know that he wishes that none should parish. We can have hope and be thankful that God’s rich kindness, forbearance, and patience are there to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). May we respond to his invitation so that we can avoid his wrath in the final judgement, and may we share the good news of our God, his love, justice, and righteousness, with others. He will one day render the final verdict on all individuals and the nations with His perfect ways. If you accept the grace that God bestows on us and confess Jesus as Lord then you’ll be singing for joy about God’s righteous judgement.
Revelation 20:11-15, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it…and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done…And if anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
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