By David ReayThursday 15 Oct 2020LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth. (NLT)
When we think of the judgement of God, we generally see it as something fearsome. A terrible visitation by the just judge leading to the destruction of all that would defy him or rebel against him.
And that is true. All that is evil, all that is dehumanising, will be forever done away with. Those who want nothing to do with God will be granted their wish. Those who long to live under the eternal, benevolent rule of God will be granted that wish.
What we sometimes overlook is what this Psalm recognises. Judgement is an ushering in of a new creation, as yet only partially experienced. It is the putting right of all that is wrong with the world. It is a thing of beauty if seen this way. Not simply a sorting out of the sheep and the goats, not some speculation on the nature of hell and who goes there.
The judgement of the world by its just creator and ruler is a restoration of creation to what it was originally created to be. It results in order and beauty and fertility. It is the triumph of justice and fairness.
We may be tempted to anxiety about the destiny of those we love who seem to be hostile or indifferent to God. But any who seek God find him, and our God is rich in mercy. This doesn’t mean all embrace him: God forces no one into eternal life, but he will judge justly. Judgement may involve sad rejection, though this rejection is our choice not God’s desire. But it also involves beautiful acceptance and completion.
All that is wrong will be put right. All will be well, and well forever.
Blessings
David