Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ who redeems
Psalms 82Rise up, O God, Judge the earth for all nation belong to you vs .8
Psalms 82 upholds the faith in a monotheistic and unique God, who rules over all the other Ancient Near Eastern gods and their counsels. The title indicates the selected Psalm written by Asaph, the leading devotional musician of his age.
God observes the judicial discourses of heaven and earth
The opening part of the Psalm shows a doubt regarding the injustices existing among the divine council of the Canaanite God(Pantheon). But the God of Israel is always against any form of discrimination and injustice. Injustice originate from sinful structures and evil design of the human mind. The Levitical code suggests a fair judgment, “You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.(Leviticus 19: 15). Heaven is much concerned with maintaining the right of the lowly and destitute.
The redeeming love of Jesus
Jesus Christ embraces the one who was marginalized by Jewish religion and culture. Jesus consoles the weak, the poor, the crushed one and the victims. The oppressors felt the divine wrath and judgment. Jesus was publicly to be with the poor and needy, scattered the crowd and lifted the lowly. According to the Bible, justice and righteousness compliment each other. God resides where truth and justice prevails. Proper and timely deliverance of justice is the redeeming nature of Jesus and His Kingdom. Vengeance and jealousy have no space in the redeeming nature of Jesus.
The Lord who will come again for judging the whole creation
The closing part of the Psalm narrates all the earth and its inhabitants belong to God. All the nations are under His surveillance. We are only just stewards and agents of grace and love. Our observations and decisions should be based on proper knowledge and understanding or else we will fall into darkness and wickedness.
God observes the judicial discourses of heaven and earth
The opening part of the Psalm shows a doubt regarding the injustices existing among the divine council of the Canaanite God(Pantheon). But the God of Israel is always against any form of discrimination and injustice. Injustice originate from sinful structures and evil design of the human mind. The Levitical code suggests a fair judgment, “You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.(Leviticus 19: 15). Heaven is much concerned with maintaining the right of the lowly and destitute.
The redeeming love of Jesus
Jesus Christ embraces the one who was marginalized by Jewish religion and culture. Jesus consoles the weak, the poor, the crushed one and the victims. The oppressors felt the divine wrath and judgment. Jesus was publicly to be with the poor and needy, scattered the crowd and lifted the lowly. According to the Bible, justice and righteousness compliment each other. God resides where truth and justice prevails. Proper and timely deliverance of justice is the redeeming nature of Jesus and His Kingdom. Vengeance and jealousy have no space in the redeeming nature of Jesus.
The Lord who will come again for judging the whole creation
The closing part of the Psalm narrates all the earth and its inhabitants belong to God. All the nations are under His surveillance. We are only just stewards and agents of grace and love. Our observations and decisions should be based on proper knowledge and understanding or else we will fall into darkness and wickedness.
Prayer
Lord, give us the vision to wisely judge situations and give us the strength to take right decisions at the right time. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Rev. Sam T Panicker
Bethel MTC Santhipuram
Rev. Sam T Panicker
Bethel MTC Santhipuram