Scripture: ““But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.” – (9:7)
Observation: David again contrasts righteousness with evil and explains the viewpoint of God toward both. He asserts that God will not forsake those whose trust is in the Lord, but that God will dispense justice one day to all.
Application: Many people are quick to say that God is all-loving, but they ignore the holiness and justness of the Lord. The overwhelming thought seems to be that God will welcome all people into His heaven regardless of how they lived because He is such a loving God. They deny that there will be any divine judgment on mankind. These beliefs are not biblical, in fact, the exact opposite is what is found in the Scriptures.
It is true that God is love. 1 John 4:16 affirms that. “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” But the love of God doesn’t negate His other attributes that society chooses to reject.
God’s justice is referred to more than 1500 times in the Bible. Here are a few examples.
- “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4
- “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” – Psalm 89:14
- “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” – Isaiah 30:18
Additionally, the concept of God’s holiness is often dismissed as unimportant when compared to His love. Again, this is not biblical. Here are a few verses about the holiness of God.
- “Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” – Psalm 99:9
- “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11
- “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” – Revelation 4:8
Lastly, the Scriptures warn us of the future judgement of God upon this earth. To refuse to accept this as a reality to come is foolishness on the part of men. Here are a few verses regarding God’s judgment to come.
- “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
- “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” – Hebrews 9:27
There is only one way to be assured of eternity in heaven and that is through faith and trust in Jesus, God’s Son, and His work on the cross. John 14:6 records the words of the Saviour, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The Bible clearly states that those who reject Jesus will one day face God’s wrath and judgment.
If you’ve never trusted Christ as Saviour, today could be YOUR day of salvation! In Acts 16:31, the Bible tells us that all who call on His name will be saved, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Jesus is just a prayer away!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of eternal life through Your precious Son, Jesus. May Your name be exalted and blessed because of Your holiness, justice, and great love! You alone deserve to be praised and glorified! And thank You for being my heavenly Father and adopting me into Your family! In Your Son’s precious name, I pray with great thanksgiving. Amen.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.
(from “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber)
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“And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” – Revelation 16:7