Merciful Judge
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God is the ultimate Father; who loves, but at the same time corrects, rebukes, and punishes. Can we imagine where the world would be, and how it would be like if God gives us only grace, but does not match it with judgment; as discussed in yesterday’s devotional entitled, “Grace And Judgment”? One thing is sure; wickedness will spiral out of control, and we cannot imagine how it would all end. Just take a look at mortal man currently; watch how one man can shed the blood of another with impunity, mostly because of resources, wealth, power or fame! Can we imagine how it would be like if such people are never made accountable? As sad as it is, the greatest check God ever put on human wickedness is mortality (Genesis 3:22). The fact that we all die one day brings a lot of human wickedness to closure! A lot of people confess their wickedness on their deathbeds, when they realize it is all coming to an end. What would have happened if they were to live forever? My guess is, their wickedness would also remain a secret forever, and increase in its proportions!
The Psalmist considered God’s limits and reactions to our nature, and wrote Psalm 90.
READ Psalm 90:1-12
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:1-12 NKJV)
This Psalm, considered to be the oldest Psalm, is believed to have been written by Moses in the wilderness with Israel. In this Psalm, Moses contrasts God’s transcendent nature; and man’s transient frailties. To those who believe in this self existent God, He becomes their dwelling place and shelters, comforts, protects, preserves, and cherishes them.
But Moses quickly turns to focus on how powerless man is in the presence of God and His wrath! God just speaks and we disappear (vv. 3), just as He spoke for creation to come into being! The years we cherish so much are nothing before Him.
He compares our years here with yesterday when it is past; a watch in the night; a flood carried away; sleep, and grass which flourishes in the morning, gets cut down in the evening and withers (vv. 4-6).
He said in God’s wrath, we finish our years like a sigh; that the days of our lives are seventy years, and if strong eighty years; in which we could only boast of labor and sorrow (vv. 7-11)!
Then Moses made a profound appeal! He asked God, “Teach us to number our days; that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
The intimate knowledge Moses had of God – of His mercy and His wrath — is clearly reflected here.
May we know and understand God the way Moses did. It will make a lot of difference.
MEMORY VERSE
“We finish our years like a sigh.” (Psalm 90:9)
QUESTIONS
1. Have you wondered why God put limits on what humans can do?
2. Do you know that it was not so, until evil entered this earth?
PRAYER TIP
Transcendent Father, please help us to spend the time You have given us in wisdom.
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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