Daily Devotions – Love and Justice

Daily Devotions – Love and Justice

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Psalm 33 (NIV)
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength, it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

 

How does God’s unfailing love apply to justice?

 

Lord, You define and set the standard for justice. You are just. It is part of Your character. You cannot be unjust.  You look at the world from Your throne in heaven and watch us all. Nothing we do can be hidden from You. You destroy the plans and spoil the wicked schemes of nations. No evil will escape Your great strength. You know all of my sins in my heart, my motives, my thoughts, and my deeds.  I deserve judgment, death, and eternal punishment. But by your mercy, forgiveness, and grace, you released me from the hand of judgment.  It was out of Your unfailing love that justice was served when You paid the penalty for my sins with Your blood. Your death on the cross replaced my debt of eternal punishment with Your righteousness. It is by Your grace and Your unfailing love that I am set free. You love righteousness and justice; the earth is full of Your unfailing love. Bless all who are righteous and are saved by Your loving grace and protect them from the evil one who is lurking to crush, kill, and destroy. Let my heart not be distracted or troubled by evil but let my life reflect Your righteousness and love. You watch over all who honor You and trust Your kindness. You are truthful and can be trusted. What You have planned will stand forever. Your thoughts never change. I depend on you to help and protect me. You are my hope and my shield. My heart rejoices in You for I trust Your holy name. You deserve all of my worship and praise.  May I walk in Your love and put my hope in You forever. Amen