Judgments

“He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself” (Psalm 50:4-6 KJV).

  We tend to think of a judgment against us as a harsh negative rebuke with definite punishments or in a lesser realm as an unfortunate consequence of our actions, words or deeds.  Initially we may or may not feel remorse and we may or may not even desire to change what got us into the situation in the first place.  It is even possible to become more resistant to the truth of why the judgment came against us.  It is also possible to become more possessed, determined or rebellious as to continue on the path that brought about the judgment and to set in place future judgments against us.

     God allowed judgments against His people throughout history because of their sin and their turning away from their covenanted relationship with Him.  He allowed them to be judged, He allowed them to be displaced, He allowed them to become slaves and He allowed them to fell abandoned.  He allowed this as a consequence for their unfaithfulness but always with the desired intent of drawing them back into relationship with Him.  He longed for them to seek Him.  He would bring redemption through His love and He would deliver them from their folly and rebelliousness as they turned in repentance to Him as their God.

    Judgments are not entirely negative … they can be liberating, empowering and can truly save us further trouble. They can set us on the best pathways for our lives. Judgments can be a matter of bringing truth in our lives. 

     The judgments regarding our sin and our separation from God when we follow our selfish and lustful ways might be hard to deal with but they lead us to the truth. It is the truth that sets us free.  God waits to deliver those that see Him as God and seek His truth in all their ways and days.  Jesus has saved us and He is mighty to deliver us … we just need to realize and walk in all that He gives us.

“Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver …” (Isaiah 50:2 KJV).

Suggested Reading Isaiah 50 & Psalm 50