Current news focuses on the end of a tyrannical dictator's reign of over forty years. An oppressed people celebrate in the streets as justice appears to finally be served in their land. Whether in the course of events in this fallen world, justice IS ultimately served.
1 Chronicles ten records the tragic death of King Saul and his three sons. It's not a pretty picture; his three are struck down in battle first. Then, Saul is mortally wounded by enemy archers (1 Chronicles 10:3). Mortally wounded, Saul calls upon his armor bearer to finish him off. Unwilling to do so, Saul ends his own life by falling on his sword (verse 4). But, even in his death, Saul was not ultimately master of his own destiny, for we read:
"So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep ; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son ofJesse." (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)
The topic of God's justice is not nearly as popular in modern preaching and teaching as is His love. All too often, God is portrayed as a kindly, white-haired, grandfatherly being who wouldn't harm a flea. And, indeed, God is in essence love. But, He is also a God of holiness and justice, and He cannot violate His own character. Because He is who He is, judgement is certain. Whether prince or pauper, all will give an account of their lives before the Judge and Creator (Revelation 20:11-15).
Belligerent dictators and rebellious people have unceasingly sought to defy the rule and justice of their Creator."Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!'" (Psalm 2:1-3)
No one shakes a defiant fist at God and "His Anointed" (His Son, our Savior - Jesus, Yeshua) and ultimately gets away with it. Inevitably, there will be a day of reckoning.
I'm often reminded that the coming judgement and the end-time upheaval in the world preceding it calls for a certain lifestyle: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:11-12). A life of service, sacrifice, and sanctity is not too high a price to pay for the privilege of life in the age to come. God's gracious offer of the life of the age to come through His Son, Jesus, precedes the demand for perfect justice and judgement. How thankful I am to know His grace, and respond in gratitude through lifestyle. I pray that all who are saved by grace will live and serve gratefully today, with an eye on coming judgement as added incentive to live God-pleasing lives.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
1 Chronicles ten records the tragic death of King Saul and his three sons. It's not a pretty picture; his three are struck down in battle first. Then, Saul is mortally wounded by enemy archers (1 Chronicles 10:3). Mortally wounded, Saul calls upon his armor bearer to finish him off. Unwilling to do so, Saul ends his own life by falling on his sword (verse 4). But, even in his death, Saul was not ultimately master of his own destiny, for we read:
"So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep ; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son ofJesse." (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)
The topic of God's justice is not nearly as popular in modern preaching and teaching as is His love. All too often, God is portrayed as a kindly, white-haired, grandfatherly being who wouldn't harm a flea. And, indeed, God is in essence love. But, He is also a God of holiness and justice, and He cannot violate His own character. Because He is who He is, judgement is certain. Whether prince or pauper, all will give an account of their lives before the Judge and Creator (Revelation 20:11-15).
Belligerent dictators and rebellious people have unceasingly sought to defy the rule and justice of their Creator."Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!'" (Psalm 2:1-3)
No one shakes a defiant fist at God and "His Anointed" (His Son, our Savior - Jesus, Yeshua) and ultimately gets away with it. Inevitably, there will be a day of reckoning.
I'm often reminded that the coming judgement and the end-time upheaval in the world preceding it calls for a certain lifestyle: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:11-12). A life of service, sacrifice, and sanctity is not too high a price to pay for the privilege of life in the age to come. God's gracious offer of the life of the age to come through His Son, Jesus, precedes the demand for perfect justice and judgement. How thankful I am to know His grace, and respond in gratitude through lifestyle. I pray that all who are saved by grace will live and serve gratefully today, with an eye on coming judgement as added incentive to live God-pleasing lives.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:12 AM
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