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1 God calls the judges into his courtroom, he puts all the judges in the dock. 2 "Enough! You've corrupted justice long enough, you've let the wicked get away with murder. 3 You're here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; 4 Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them." 5 Ignorant judges! Head-in-the-sand judges! They haven't a clue to what's going on. And now everything's falling apart, the world's coming unglued. 6 "I commissioned you judges, each one of you, deputies of the High God, 7 But you've betrayed your commission and now you're stripped of your rank, busted." 8 O God, give them their just deserts! You've got the whole world in your hands! (Psalm 82 The Message Bible)
A blessed and terrific Thursday, dear Friend. May the joy of the Lord be yours today and all days. As I reported on the podcast yesterday, the twins for whom we were praying, Boe and Creek, are now home with Mom and Dad and all the family. Creek is the boy and he was not able to get the hang of nursing but now he does and we pray that God bless both with health and strength. Please pray for one another; pray for your own needs, and pray for the needs of the world. Be a bold believer in all you say, think, and do!
Yesterday Amos. Today, the psalmist of justice. Well, actually, anything related to God's kingdom and God's people should be about justice. There is no room in God's plan or realm for the wicked, the oppressors, the cheaters, the exploiters, and any other negative evil practice that we find in the world today, and since the day of this psalm. We could make a case for our being born with a greedy gene and through training, example, love, instruction, we learn how to share. If you don't believe me, ask to sit in with a mommy or daddy trying to teach sharing with their infant.
Among all people there is not one perfect person, but that does nor should it become something to hide behind; our call is to live better, even higher, for we are children of the Most High. And in a scene right from Job or Isaiah, it's God calling all judges (prophets, kings and queens, other rulers) into question about how they have dispensed or did not dispense justice. Their job, like ours, "is to stand up for the powerless, and to prosecute all those who exploit them." While we may not necessarily have prosecutorial authority, we can speak on behalf and defend those who are oppressed. We do know what's going on and what is happening, and we need to take a stand for those who do not have a voice. While the judgment in this psalm was against the oppressors goes against those in authority, we need to up our game of justice for all. We are, after all, the hands and feets of God, the advocates that someone may need.
The Reverend Martin Niemöller, was a Lutheran pastor in Berlin, Germany, during WWII. At first a sympathizer of the Nazis and later when he realized the evil they were about, he became one to support the oppressed and those who were being targeted by Adolph Hitler. Several times during his career he spoke a variation of the following quote:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
May God give us the words and courage to spoke on behalf of God to those who are being targeted in life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we love You. May we love You enough to speak and support those who are being oppressed and run over by so many. Please send us those no one else wants, and especially those who no one else sees. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Speak courageous the truth about God and life.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
