A Journey Through The Psalms Wisdom From God A Journey Through The Psalms

Psalm 82– Maintaining Compassion Those in positions of power don’t always make decisions for the common good. Sometimes their decisions are selfish, or based on the desires of powerful lobbyists who are a source of campaign funding. Sometimes judges are not just, and don’t really care about justice. These things are not new.

What Is The Role Of Christians Regardless of the type of society we live in, Christians have certain responsibilities placed upon them by God. What can we do to make life better for all in a society such as our own? How do we make a difference and how much difference can we make?

When Judges And Rulers Go Bad God raises up all rulers for good. He intends them to do good. Not all do so. Psalm 82:1 – “God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.” God judges all rulers. Especially true of those raised up in biblical Israel.

What Was Wrong With The Judges? Psalm 82:2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” A question from God. The judges were not impartial. They were siding with those who were wicked against the just.

This Is Nothing New! Unjust judges can be found in all places. Luke 18:1-8 A parable about prayer Subject is an unjust judge who doesn’t fear God nor care for man. Contrast is between God who is just and does care for man and the unjust judge. “…now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?”

Mark 7:9-13 “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition….if a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban…you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God….”

Ungodly, though assigned by God Psalm 82:5 – “They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” So it is when rulers and judges deny justice. They shake the foundations of the earth.

Their station: “You are gods” Psalm 82:6 – “I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.” God calls them “gods” Quoted by Jesus in John 10:34, to the Jews when they were about to stone Him for equating Himself with God. What does God mean when He refers to men as “gods”?

Moses as a god Exodus 7:1 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and you brother Aaron shall be your prophet.” Word ‘as’ not in the Hebrew. God meant that He was giving Moses divine authority over Pharaoh, to administer God’s will.

Isaiah 41:20-24 “Present your case,” the Lord says. “Bring forward your strong arguments,” the King of Jacob says. “Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place … that we may consider them and know their outcome….Declare the things that are going to come afterward, that we may know that you are gods….”

If only more rulers/leaders understood… If they understood they are God’s representatives, and in their own way therefore gods, perhaps they would rule better. Perhaps they would listen to God rather than to fallible men and would rule wiser.

What Should Christians Be Doing? At all times we should be showing compassion to others. Psalm 82:3-4 – “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” This is a chastisement from God against the unjust rulers. It also happens to be an expectation God has for all of His people.

We Must Maintain Compassion James 1:27 – “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” 1 Peter 3:8 – “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit….”

Compassion Illustrated Luke 10:25-37 Illustrating the greatest commands, especially the second Who is my neighbor? Parable of the good Samaritan Neighbor was the one who showed mercy to the one who was in need. “Go and do the same.”

With Compassion, We Reflect God Exodus 34:6 – “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth….”

Compassion Is A Judgment Matter Those welcomed into heaven were the ones who fed the hungry, gave drinks to the thirsty, invited in the strangers, clothed the naked, visited the sick, aided the prisoners – to serve Jesus. Those excluded failed to do those things.

A Twisted View Of Righteousness Some are quick to condemn murderers, thieves, prostitutes, pimps, drug abusers, homosexuals, and liars. But will not condemn tightwads, cheapskates, moneygrubbers, penny-pinchers and skinflints who refuse to open their hearts or wallets to help someone in need.

A Call For God’s Judgement Psalm 82:7-8 – “‘Nevertheless, you will die like men and fall like any one of the princes.’ Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations.” Recognizes God as ruler and judge of all the nations. Sees the need for God’s judgment.

Matthew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Let’s remember that we are here to call sinners to Christ. That demands of us unfailing compassion.