31 Days: Day 19- Thanking God He Is The Judge
Sometimes I read history or watch the news, seeing all the “getting away with it” that occurs in the world and I feel anger. Humans are evil. People administered the death camps. Humans run the sex slave trade. People murder. Men and women hurt kids. How do we hold them accountable?
Sometimes I feel disgust at someone’s immorality, or lies, or plain bad choices. Sometimes I shake my head in disapproval at clothing choices, unruly children, and overweight consumers buying ice cream at the grocery store. Sometimes.
Then I look at my one finger pointing out, and the three pointing back at me and I cringe. It is a good thing I am not a judge.
The solution for all this angst comes when I change my perspective and realize there is a Holy Judge who loves deeper than I, and who hates evil more than I do as well. I shouldn't judge others, nor waste energy fretting over wrong doers getting away with wrong. God is Judge and the keeper of justice. I can leave it all to Him.
Today, we will thank the ONE Lawgiver and Judge. And here is a hint: it isn’t you and it isn’t me. We can sit down and be quiet, except for the “praising the Judge” part. That can be a loudly as possible. I thank God He is the Judge and I am going to let Him do that job all by Himself.
I thank God, that while the earth DOES seem to be tottering, He executes judgement “with equity” at His set time, and He keeps the world steady.
"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. ... but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. (Psalm 75:2-3, 7 ESV)
There are evil people who prosper in the short term, but God is the Judge who LOVES justice, so justice will be done. No fretting required. The wicked don’t bother Him. In fact, the Judge laughs as they think they are getting away with it. Eternity is a very long time to deal with every wicked deed.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! … For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. ... but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. ... For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. (Psalm 37:7-9, 13, 28a ESV)
If someone sins against me, I can give it to the Lord. His throne is established FOR justice and He judges with righteousness. I leave wicked circumstances and people with Him to take care of justly.
For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. ... But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. ... The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. (Psalm 9:4, 7-8, 16 ESV)
I will also appear before the Judge, at the end of this world. THAT, if nothing else, should humble my judging heart to sit down and be quiet.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a ESV)
God’s Throne is established ON justice. No other judge matches His perfect decisions.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. (Psalm 89:14 ESV)
We will not see flawless earthly justice, but our just Judge will utter perfect judgement someday, so I can leave condemnation to Him.
From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. (Psalm 76:8-9 ESV)
I am grateful the Bible specifically records that God LOVES justice and HATES robbery and wrong.
For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah 61:8 ESV)
My Lord is a righteous Judge, who feels greater indignation at wickedness than I do, every day. I trust Him to deal with evil in His way and His time.
God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. (Psalm 7:11 ESV)
When we speak judgmentally about someone else, we are acting like we are the judge, instead of God. Our job is to love. The Judge’s job is to judge. Thanking God that He is the Judge reminds me to leave ALL of that job to Him.
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. … There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12 ESV)
BECAUSE of God’s authority as Judge, and love of justice, He provided a payment for our sins, through Jesus. He is on the Throne and He is the Savior.
For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us. (Isaiah 33:22 ESV)
God is Judge and deserves my praise, adoration, reverence, and respect. Every wrong will be judged someday. I rest in the supreme righteousness of the Judge. He can perfectly take care of injustice. My job is to thank and glorify Him!
The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. ... Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving..." (Psalm 50:6-7, 14a ESV)
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for being Judge. Righteous and holy, You perfectly execute justice. I praise You for establishing Your throne ON and FOR justice. I praise Your love of righteousness and Your hate of evil.
I confess when I see the injustice that abounds in the world, I fret. I want evil to be dealt with properly, so that perpetrators are punished. Thank You, Judge of everything, that You will handle each problem perfectly. You see and know EVERYTHING. I am so grateful You love justice. I can leave it all in Your hands.
Lord, instead of being bitter and angry over past hurts, I put each one in Your hands. Thank You that You are the perfect Judge who can carry out absolute justice. Please help me refrain from judging others who either knowingly or unknowingly harmed me and my family.
I confess that I often act as judge, and I am a lousy judge, Lord. Please forgive me and my presumption into Your territory. Your entire throne is established on righteousness and You can see into each person’s heart and soul. I will now step out of the judge’s bench and instead praise You for being the Judge of everything.
I thank You for the promise that someday You will arise and execute judgement on everyone and every single wrong. I tremble that You will also execute judgement on me. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that covers and pays for my sins. How else could I stand in Your presence?
Thank You for Your love of justice and Your provision of a Savior. All I can do is agree with the angels and proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”
Amen
Today, I don't just feel grateful for the Judge, I feel convicted of a judgemental heart.
But there is much evil in the world. Instead of just feeling angry about it, I want to lay it before the Judge who HATES evil. What evil do you hate? List it below and let's give it to the Judge and ask Him to execute judgement. I got it started.
Let's pray for justice, love people, and thank God He is Judge.
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. (Romans 2:1-2 ESV)