MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS

 

April 13, 2005          

Reading: Psalm 9: 1-20

“The Lord is known by the judgment he executes” (16)

 

Think on these words, soul of mine, for they are both sobering and comforting. Every person that ever lived and ever will live comes under the judgment of God. He judges Angels also. He is the God of “marvelous works” (1).

Of one thing you can be sure, that when He judges, His decisions will be just and right: “You sat on the throne judging in righteousness” (4). “He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness” (8). You can state with the same assurance as Abraham. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" As sure as the judgment itself is the knowledge and assurance that you shall not be judged unfairly. There will be no hidden thing that, if known, would have changed the final decision.

Remember, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” It is appointed by God that every person should die and that all will face a judgment. How you are judged depends on how you die. If you die “in Christ” you will stand before Him to be judged on how you have lived in Christ—at the Bema, the Judgment Seat of Christ. Those who die apart from Christ, having never entered into a living relationship with Him, will be judged at the Great White Throne to hear the announcement of their eternity in hell, joined together with the devil and his angels.

Take note, soul of mine, that along with judgment there is mercy, mercy of which you are a participant. God has no option than to judge sin, of which you are also a participant. He is holy and cannot behold sin. But, with resounding praise in your heart, rejoice that He has chosen to be merciful to you. Your sin was laid on Jesus and there it was judged. Do not begin to take any credit for your position in Christ Jesus, it was His plan, His love, His mercy, and His choice. Never has such a combination of judgment and mercy been conceived other than this, and it has all been accomplished on His throne. Of such mercy, fallen angels will never participate. You cannot answer the question “Why?” Simply believe it and wonder in amazement at your God’s wisdom and sovereignty.

 

O God of wisdom, power and might,

O thou who sits on heaven’s throne.

O thou who knows so well our plight,

Look down from high, and claim thine own.

 

I will have mercy on whom I will,

My grace is portioned out as planned.

I hardened Pharaoh’s heart until

My power through all the ages scanned.

 

O God, whose righteousness is pure,

Knock on the door of thine elect.

Call out thy chosen ones for sure

Into thy love, and them protect.

 

I am the Potter, thou art the clay,

I mold and make thee as I see fit.

Be not afraid, for in that day

By my side my chosen will sit.

 

Whosoever believeth may come,

This is the message your Word proclaims.

Trust in the Savior, believe on your Son,

Repent of our sins, and trust in your Name.

 

These things believe with all thine heart

And I will accept you, this is the way.

With your sins forgiven, in full, not in part,

My own, my chosen, I’ll call in that day.

 

I’ll set you apart as one of my own.

I’ll love you, protect you, and hide not my face.

I’ll fill you with joy like you’ve never known

‘Til one day in heaven, you’ll take your place.

                                                                  DTP

 

 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. NIV