8SOAP 10/31/2015; Psalm 82:8

Today's reading: Job 22; Mark 7, 8*

S) "⁸ Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For it is You who possesses all the nations"

Psalm 82:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 82

O) The context here is a little bit ambiguous. For example, in the first verse, God is (literally translated) "in the congregation of God" and (again, literally) "in the midst of the gods." Then the writer goes on to speak about unjust judgments and bad ruling. When read carefully, it almost looks as though this psalm is about some kind of angelic beings, possibly even being called "gods" and the judgment that will come upon them. It is also possible, that the use of the word "god" in this psalm, is simply allegory, referring to men who rule upon the earth (after all, many of the ancient cultures claimed that their kings or emperors were deities. Either way, the final verse is possibly the most important. God will judge the earth, i.e., all of His creation. Also, God is sovereign over nations.

A) There are some things about God, about creation, about the supernatural realm, which will remain a mystery to me as long as I am confined to this side of eternity. Some speculation is fine, and can even draw me closer to God in devotion, as I seek to know His ways better and better. However, I don't want to get sidetracked about things when there may never be an answer I can really know with certainty. And surely, the exact context of this psalm will not determine my destiny, or my quality of life while I'm on earth. However, remembering that God is sovereign, and that He can (and very likely does often, if not always) direct the rise and fall of nations... remembering that God is the Final Judge... this certainly does make me focus on eternity. This makes me focus on my eternal security in Christ Jesus. This gives me a peace that cannot be threatened by famines, natural disasters, or wars. If I get nothing else from this psalm, than the reminder that God is in control, then I have still received an immeasurable blessing from it.

P) Father, You are the Final Judge. You are righteous and sovereign. You hold eternity, and nations, and life in Your hands. In the scope of eternal knowledge, which You not only hold, but You authored, I have a drop in the ocean. But, if I remember nothing other than the eternal security I have in Christ, and the comfort in knowing that You will justify and judge in the End, then I know enough. I want to fear You alone, and rest in the knowledge that I am in Christ, and Christ is in You, Father God. Let Your will be done, both now, and into eternity. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.