Saturday, December 21’s devotional. “Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly” (Psalm 98:9, CSB).
Psalm 98 closes with a profound truth: the Lord is coming to judge the earth. His judgment is not something to fear for those who know Him. Instead, it brings hope, because His judgment is perfectly righteous and just. God’s judgment is a cause for joy because it brings justice, restoration, and an end to all wickedness. The idea of God as Judge assures us that He will set all things right.
The psalmist says, “He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.” God’s judgment is not like human judgment, which can be flawed or biased. Mark emphasizes, “God’s judgment flows from His perfect righteousness. He cannot deviate from His holy standard.” This is why we can rejoice: we have a Judge who sees everything clearly and acts with perfect justice.
In our broken world, injustice often seems to prevail. Corruption, oppression, and sin distort our lives. Yet Psalm 98 assures us that God’s justice is coming. God’s judgment is restorative. It’s not just about punishment; it’s about making things right. Revelation 21:5 echoes this hope: “Look, I am making everything new.” The righteous Judge is also the Redeemer who will restore creation.
At Benoni Baptist Church, we affirm “the principle of separation of church and state,” recognizing that God’s justice transcends earthly systems. The Church covenant calls us to “walk together in brotherly love and unity,” reflecting God’s justice and mercy in our relationships. Knowing that God will judge the world fairly challenges us to live justly and extend mercy to others.
How does this truth bring hope or challenge you? Perhaps it gives you comfort that injustices you’ve suffered will be addressed. Maybe it challenges you to examine your own actions and seek reconciliation where needed. We must reflect s, standing for what is right and showing mercy to others.
Today, take time to reflect on areas where you can seek justice or extend mercy. Maybe you need to forgive someone, or perhaps you need to stand up for someone who is vulnerable. In doing so, you reflect the character of our righteous Judge who is coming to restore all things.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the righteous Judge who will set all things right. Help me live justly and extend mercy, reflecting Your character. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.