Reading: psalms 72-77
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah (Ps. 75:2-3).
In several places in the Book of Psalms, we have been reminded to be still and wait on God. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass (Ps. 37:7). This idea is revisited in today’s reading as the psalmist makes clear the fact that the Lord, and the Lord alone, chooses the time for judgment. When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. Our responsibility is to wait patiently for Him in readiness for His return (Luke 12:35-36).
"Everything will be made right in God's perfect time." Chances are you have heard that phrase, or one like it, many times in your life. You may have even said it to yourself or others in an attempt to explain a situation that does not lend itself to understanding. But have you ever really stopped and thought about what it means?
God simply is. He is eternal; I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Rev. 1:8). The average human life span is between 70 and 80 years. How are we supposed to compare that to eternity? The simple answer is that we can't. Our understanding of God's time is no greater than an infant's understanding of earthly time. To a toddler or young child, time is a mystery. They want what they want when they want it. They can’t be pacified by being told, "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes" or "We'll go to Grandma's house in three weeks" because they can’t understand the concept. Yet just because they don’t understand doesn’t stop it from happen- ing exactly as their parents said. At the end of thirty minutes, dinner is ready. Three weeks elapse, and the family goes to Grandma’s. The child’s lack of understanding has no impact on the timeline set out by their parents.
Although the comparison is an oversimplification, it is the same with our relationship with God. His concept of time is too great for us to comprehend, but our lack of understanding does not change His timeline. God will judge wicked, unrepented, sinful behavior in His perfect time. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them (Ps. 75:8). He will pass His judgment only at the time He has set, not at the moment we demand it. It may seem that the ungodly and immoral are flourishing all around us, and we may struggle with "why?" but it is not for us to question. God will not let evil exist in His creation for one moment longer than He considers necessary. We must be content with the knowledge that our lives today, tomorrow, and for all time are in His hands.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Thought For Today:It is not for us to sort out what is wrong with the world; our task is to walk with God as He does.
Christ Revealed: As the Righteous Judge who will crush the oppressor (Ps. 72:2-4). Psalm 75:8 describes the judgment of God upon those who refuse to accept the salvation so freely offered by Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29,34-36; comp. II Thess. 1:8-9).
Word Studies:73:4 bands = pain; 73:21 pricked in my reins = emotionally disturbed; 74:2 the rod = the tribe; 74:4 set up their ensigns for signs = replace the symbols of God with their own symbols; 75:5 speak not with a stiff neck = defy not God with an insolent attitude.
Pray For Staff:Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT) Rep. Judy Chu (CA) • Country: South Sudan (11,562,695) East Central Africa • Major Languages: English, Arabic • Religious Freedom • Christian; Animist; Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Let your faith in the Word of God overrule all fears (Ps. 18:30).
Optional Reading:II Thessalonians 1