Reading: Psalms 81-87
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for Thou shalt inherit all nations (Ps. 82:1-8).
When Asaph wrote the 82nd Psalm, he was disturbed by the attitudes and judicial behaviors he saw among Israel's leaders and judges. These men had been placed in positions of power and judgment through the will of God, with the expectation that they would legislate and enforce His commandments and laws. Their ‘job’ was to represent God in enacting His judgments, and God held them to an exacting standard. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1). What grieved Asaph was how these standards were being blatantly ignored. The poor, the fatherless, the afflicted, and the needy were being crushed under the weight of man-made ‘justice,’ and the true voice of God was not being heard.
In the eyes of their fellow Israelites, these leaders and judges were accepted as the emissaries of God. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. The power complicit with their position had gone to their heads. Asaph looked to them in disappointment and disgust and offered the gravest of warnings: God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods...ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. God was watching, and He would hold them accountable for their false judgments.
Power over others is one of the most spiritually dangerous of God’s many gifts. When we are placed in that position, it is with the understanding that we are to work solely within His will, adhering to His Word and His instruction, and thus lead others along the path of righteousness. Far too often, however, this commission is muted or forgotten entirely as we become more confident and outspoken in our role. We begin to press forward with our personal agendas, striving to influence the world in the way we think is best. Arrogantly, we assume that God has provided us with the platform from which to work our will, so He must fully agree with us. Asaph reminds us of the foolishness of this belief. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods. God sees every abuse of power, and He will hold us accountable. Our authority over others comes directly from Him and is limited to the scope of His will. If we choose to ignore the parameters that He has set to pursue our own agenda, then we will answer to Him.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you (II Pet. 2:12-13).
Thought for Today: Leaders who lead their subjects into spiritual decay are just as guilty of neglect as parents who fail to teach their children right from wrong.
Christ Revealed: By Jerusalem, from where the psalmist declared that all of the springs (sources) of joy and happiness flow (Ps. 87:7). Jesus is the source of our joy as the angel announced at His birth (Luke 2:10). Jesus also declared: These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).
Word Studies: 82:1 the gods = earthly rulers and judges; 82:4 rid = rescue; 82:5 foundations . . . out of course = administration of justice is ignored; 82:6 gods = My representatives; 83:2 lifted up the head = exalted themselves.
Pray For Government Officials:Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) • Country: Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) (21,866,445) Indian Ocean • Major Languages: Sinhala, Tamil • Christianity suppressed • 69.1% Buddhist; 7.1% Hindu; 6.2% Christian; 7.6% Muslim; 10% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to deliver you from willful sins (Ps. 19:13).
Optional Readings: II Thessalonians 3