Attributes of God series

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Worship Devotional.  Sunday March 17, 2024.

 

GOD IS JUST‬

   Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  (Acts 10:34-35 NKJV).

     There is this saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child', but I was not that sort of father to my children while bringing them up. I introduced a practice that meted out punishment commensurate with the offence. For instance, acts of disobedience, mischief, 'two-fighting', beating or bullying your younger one, breaking or spoiling something valuable in carelessness all fetched punishments depending on the gravity of each offence. And we all accepted the practice as fair!
      The Hebrew word translated as justice - Mishpat, actually means more than just fairness in court. It describes God as just – because He is Holy, He sets the ultimate standard. He determines the beginning from the end and right from wrong. Justice is rooted in God because of His character – He is in Himself JUST. It is part of His character, which means He is always just. He cannot be unjust, and He defines and sets the standard for justice.
      Writer Tim Keller says… ''Just is defined as 'behaving according to what is morally right and fair' but as Christians we must search the Scriptures and not a dictionary to define our requirement to act justly''. Hear what the bible tells us: 'Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19) and also, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow" (Is. 1:17).
      Jesus our Lord told us, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? (Luke 18:7). We must put all our trust and hope in our merciful and just God, leaving Him to deal justly in every situation that adversely confront us.

Hymn. Immortal, invisible, God only wise

Reading .  Isaiah 1.  Hebrews 6.
The Word.  “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him..." (Heb. 6:10 NIV).
Worship line.  He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut. 32:4)
Prayer.  Lord at those times I am tempted to revenge any wrong against me, make me recall that You are the avenger of my cause.
Last line.  It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
Charge .  Micah 6:8 summarizes the top three qualities God wants to see reflected in us: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

©OO-I.   Please share.

Links to my new books:
- Deeper Worship (Worship Him in spirit and truth)
- Renewed Blood (Journey to sickle cell healing)


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