March 7 Devotion

In the morning, Psalms 72
In the evening, Psalms 119:73-96
Jeremiah 3:6-18
Romans 1:28-2:11
John 5:1-18

A Judgment Call…

I recently made my regular three month or three thousand mile service visit to Jiffy Lube. As my daughter Diana and I entered the waiting room, we were immediately overcome by loud and angry voices. A wall-mounted television towered above us broadcasting the latest Court TV episode. Fingers pointed. Accusations flew. Both participants were outspoken, uninhibited, and confident of their position. After a protracted and uncomely war of words, the indomitable judge pronounced a ruling. Justice was served. More importantly, the viewing audience was entertained.

What is so compelling about such drama? Why do the trials of celebrities like Michael Jackson or O.J. Simpson captivate and titillate our society? We say that we want justice for the victims. And sometimes that is true – particularly the closer the crime touches our life or the life of a loved one. But sadly, our motives for judgment are often self-serving. In John 5, Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda , who had been an invalid for 38 years. Rather than rejoicing in this life-renewing miracle, the Jewish leaders persecuted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They passed judgment out of fear and envy. Sometimes we pass judgment out of fear and guilt. We publicly criticize others for the very sins we commit. Paul explains in Romans 2:1, “… you who pass judgment on someone else… are condemning yourself, because you … do the same things.”

God always judges justly, with right motives, and with perfect timing. In Jeremiah 3, we read of the judgment of Israel and Judah for their idolatry. The result of their sin is exile and captivity. But God is faithful to His people and His punishment is designed to lead them to repentance. “Return, faithless Israel , declares the Lord, I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful… acknowledge your guilt… Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding”. While we may be quick to judge others, God may delay his judgment to invoke repentance as Paul states in Romans 2:4, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.”

We are clearly not to judge others out of wrong motives, but we are sometimes called to judge on God’s behalf when he appropriates his authority to us. When we serve as government leaders, judges, pastors, teachers, and parents, we act with the authority of God. We fail when we attempt to use our own wisdom. We must instead seek God’s wisdom and meditate on His laws. As the writer of Psalm 119 writes, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” We read about this kind of ruler in Psalm 72. It paints a portrait of king who seeks God’s wisdom and prays to be endowed with God’s righteouness so that he can govern compassionately. He prays to “… judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice… defend the afflicted… and save the children of the needy.” When our mandate is from God and our motives are pure, we can ask God for His righteousness, and He will enable us to judge on His behalf.

Prayer:

Holy, Righteous God, There is none righteous but You. You alone are holy. Thank You for sparing us from Your righteous judgment of our sins when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Please forgive us when we usurp Your authority and seek to unfairly judge others. Please grant us Your righteousness and wisdom when You do ask us to judge on Your behalf.

We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

John White