PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 82
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’” (Psalm 82:6)
For Jews, to claim God as Father is to claim to be equal with God (John 5:18).
To be made in God’s image means to be God’s child (Genesis 5:1-3).
In this Psalm, God is describing human leaders as gods.
Not equal to God in essence, but equal to God in their creation role.
We were made to rule creation as God’s representatives (Genesis 1:26-28).
In this sense, we are ‘gods’ in creation, showing the world what God is like.
But what if God’s image-bearers do un-God-like things (Psalm 82:2)?
This is how God’s kingdom of light has become a dominion of darkness.
Thankfully, in Jesus a perfect ‘son of the Most High’ has come.
He refused Satan’s lies, lived like God and reclaimed Adam’s throne.
A God-like human is in charge, and is raising up other God-like humans.
In Jesus we are God’s sons and daughters, but do we live like it?
It sounds wrong, but in the sense of Psalm 82, we are ‘gods’ in the world.
But how do we use our God-like position and authority – for good or evil?
PRAYER
Lord, our world is a mess because we use our God-given positions in harmful, selfish ways. Thank you for ruling the world like God – defending the weak, upholding the cause of the poor – help us to do the same!
‘all sons of the Most High.’ We are all image bearers of God and we have been given a task to rule – so we are like ‘mini-gods’ – but we will be judged – especially when it comes to the poor and the victims of injustice. Lord help me to strive to make a difference for the poor and the unjustly treated – here in Cambridge as well as other places. Help me to be responsible in my choices – that I do not exploit the marginalized. I know I come short – I’m protective and thinking for my own and so often complacent about the plight of others. Help me not to sit still and do nothing! Lead me Lord Jesus so I would do what you would have me do.
As His children God expects us to serve Him and do His work – being stewards in His creation, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I need to be an instrument of His peace. I need His presence and guidance to walk in His SonShine being a channel of His peace.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.