Poor Judgment
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are righteous, holy and just above all others. I worship You today in Your perfection and majesty.
Read Psalm 82:1-8
[1]A psalm of Asaph. God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: [2] “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? [3] Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. [4] Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. [5] “The ‘gods’ 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 mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” [8] Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What role do you have to protect and defend those in need?Throughout the Bible, God is clearly shown as being on the side of the poor and he expects his people to be so as well. Verse 3 is a clarion call to us today, blasting through the fog of complexity that so often surrounds the issues and problems we encounter. Here are three questions to help us figure out how to live verse 3 and make it real: a) Who in your life right now is weak/fatherless/oppressed? b) What’s stopping you from helping them? c) What can you do about it, if not now, soon? In addition to recognizing the need to take personal responsibility, the writer of this psalm acknowledges that God is sovereign and over all things. Ultimately, justice will only be fully realized under God’s judgment and his rule (1,8). Our political leaders, bosses or rulers may not be justice-minded, but when King Jesus returns he will reveal them for what they are (7). Jesus is the King we need. Jesus’ rule will set all things right (c.f. Isa. 61:1-3). Until he returns, he calls us to live upwards and outwards, prayerfully seeking God in all we do; by loving mercy and being just and fair.
Apply
What’s the balance like in your life right now between praying and acting? Do you need to increase one of these?
Closing prayer
Father God, stir our hearts and strengthen our arms to meet the needs of the widows and fatherless we meet.
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