Prayer, Praise and Promises 7/26

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 82:1-8

The Ultimate Judge

Read Psalm 82:1-8

When we watch the news on television or read it in a magazine or newspaper, we may think that the unjust are winning and the just are losing. We get the same idea when we read Psalm 82. But this psalm also says that God is part of the judicial system.

God attends court. "God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods" (v. 1). The word gods means "the judges." When the judges get together in court, God is there whether they recognize Him or not.

God admonishes the judges. "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?" (v. 2). He tells them what to do: "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked" (vv. 3,4).

God judges the judges. The judges think they are trying others, but God is trying them. "They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable" (v. 5). When the law is not being upheld, all the nations fall apart. "I said, 'You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes"' (vv. 6,7). The psalmist believes that God will one day make everything right. "Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations" (v. 8).

Yes, there is going to be injustice in this world until Jesus comes. But when the King of kings is reigning and the Lord of lords is supremely in control, we finally will have justice in this world.

* * *

In spite of the world's injustice, God is in control, and He sees all that happens. Until Jesus comes to reign, we must live here. In the meantime, trust Him, obey Him and do His will.


Psalm 82:1-8 (New International Version)

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the "gods":

2 "How long will you [a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 "I said, 'You are "gods";
you are all sons of the Most High.'

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler."

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
Footnotes:

1. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.