Saturday July 17, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 82

Rise up, God, judge the earth, for all the nations belong to You.

Psalm 82:8

Reflection: How desperately the world needs righteousness and justice! Even those who do not know God know that the world lacks these things. The needy and the fatherless are vulnerable to the wicked. The oppressed and the destitute are helpless and voiceless. The poor remain in need. Systems that were created to help the weakest in society have been manipulated to serve the most powerful. Organizations and foundations remain imperfect because the people who run them are imperfect also. Even the most courageous and extensive efforts of human hands are not enough to completely eradicate the issues that people have created in their sinfulness. Throughout history, this has not changed. ‘How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?’ The LORD demands an answer from the people.

Without the LORD, no one has the ability to act in perfect righteousness, for the LORD is the only One Who exhibits this. Without the LORD, no one has the ability to know what true righteousness is, for the LORD has established by His perfect Law the standard of what is good. Those in need of justice and righteousness are in need of the Almighty God. Where people fail, the LORD does not. Much suffering in the world has been caused by sin, by people refusing to uphold His statutes. But a time is coming where the LORD will bring upon the earth His righteous judgment to bring about true justice. Until then, God still requires adherence to His statues, for His way alone leads to goodness. How are we to live as followers of God and people of His Kingdom in the meantime? In a world of much darkness, we are to make His glory known.

Prayer: LORD God, You alone are the Righteous Judge. You look upon the earth and cannot find anyone good. You see all that happens throughout the universe, as well as all that is in each human heart. Your people are in desperate need of You, for You are the only One Who knows what is good. You are the only One Who is able to execute true righteousness. I wait for Your return on earth, LORD, and look forward to the establishment of Your Kingdom of heaven on earth one day. Until them, please train me to live a life that reflects Your righteousness towards others. I am in need of You. All these things I ask in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Bible, studytools.com): John 17; 2 Chronicles 25; Psalm 82