Think of a world with no human rights, no constitution, no protection for the innocent.
No legal system or justice system or fair law, except what was enforced by the non-elected king.
Imagine extreme poverty, extreme immorality, extreme violence, extreme abuse of the vulnerable.
Into that setting, you have been placed to represent God’s justice and morality.
You have been equipped as a ‘justice league’ to oppose the wicked and help the innocent.
Things in that time are really bad, really desperate… but instead of opposing evil, you join in.
“They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.” (Psalm 106:39)
It would be like the police joining in with the Hell’s Angels, or the Mafia.
This is what this psalm writer is thinking about, how God’s chosen ‘justice league’ went AWOL.
Now Israel’s situation as a nation has become desperate, God is not supporting them.
The psalm-writer is admitting their failure, and asking for God’s mercy and help.
Our situation is different, yet similar; hasn’t God called us to live for justice and mercy today?
Are we not God’s chosen representatives, chosen to live for love, joy, peace, etc. in this dark world?
Do we not find ourselves in trouble sometimes because of compromise, of joining in with this dark world?
We are not better than others, but we have been called to live better, with God’s help.
Maybe we need to do some honest soul-searching, and admit our failure to God.
Maybe I need to admit to God that some of my struggles are because of my compromises and lapses…
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see where my struggles are the result of my choices, and where I need to be honest with You. May the truth set me free, may repentance lead to renewal.
Observation/Application
God is faithful.
I am not.
Daily give thanks to to Lord
and
remember
His acts of mercy to His people.
His faithfulness.
I forget.
He remembers.
Time and time again,
He lifted me up out of my distress.
He is my Redeemer King.
Help me daily to praise You
and remember all what You have done for me.
For your people.
May all Yours praise You this day
for You are forever
and evermore.
Great are You Oh Lord.
Great is Your faithfulness.
1
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
2
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!