Verse of the Day - Psalm 99:4

The King is mighty, he loves justice— You have established equity... ~ Psalm 99:4 (NIV)

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Humanity seems to cry out for fairness and equity. We have the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). Companies pride themselves on being equal-opportunity employers, giving everyone a chance at getting a job, without discrimination, and we applaud this justice and fairness! It is the right thing to do to be fair, to be just, to be equitable...

Why, then, does the world condemn God when He's just and fair?

Man rebels after being warned not to eat the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Yet, he cries, "Unfair!" when he receives the just reward for his actions; that is, death.

God's laws apply to all. Yet, somehow, we want special treatment when we sin, and we want the judge's gavel to be thrown in the face of others when they sin. Is this fair? Is this true justice?

Fairness and justice must go "across the board". That is their essence. If God was wishy-washy, with His hand of justice looking like a squiggly line, how could He be a holy God? Subjectiveness and privilege don't mesh with justice. The reality is that we are selfish, and we want justice for the causes we believe in, for the efforts we support. But when something doesn't suit us, we want vindication...or conversely, clemency.

God must be just -- that is His nature. But He is also merciful, and for that, believers in Christ are truly grateful. Mercy provided our salvation for all who believe through Jesus' work on the cross. Mercy provides opportunity after opportunity for people to consider and embrace God and His ways. He does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10); otherwise, we would all be dust in the wind.

We have a tough time understanding God's justice and mercy and how they blend together. Our flesh is so subjective, and our minds are so limited. All I know is that God is God, and I am not. I may not understand why He carries things out the way He does, but I believe that He is just and fair. I believe that He offers grace and mercy. If He didn't, I would be toast. And so would you.

I pray that we can be examples to the world of what our God is like, removing our subjective filters, and seek fairness and justice for the oppressed...and give grace and mercy to the oppressors. God walks a divine line between justice and mercy. Ask Him to help you do the same...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 119:73

You created me and put me together. Make me wise enough to learn what you have commanded. ~ Psalm 119:37 (CEV)

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The writer of this psalm gets the marathon award -- 176 verses in one chapter! And as I scrolled quickly through it this morning, almost every single verse mentions God's law, God's ways, God's instruction as something he delights in, enjoys, revels in, and values greater that all else! Does that sound a little weird to you, a little fanatical? Maybe it does, but what a picture of devotion to God and a heart for obedience -- an example we should want to follow.

The psalmist writes about various issues in his life, trials and difficulties, but always chooses obedience. When people criticize and tease him for being a God follower, it hurts, but it doesn't dissuade him from staying the course. God's teachings and ways are life to him. He has experienced the deep joy of obedience to God, and stays hungry for wisdom and knowledge and greater dependence on Him.

Some would say that being tied to God's ways is slavery...but to the heart who has tasted God's love and mercy, it is a paradoxical freedom. The stronger the chains of obedience to God, the higher the flight of joy. Why? Because God's ways are right and true. Everything else is deceptive and worthless.

If you've lived a little while, you can attest to this truth -- I know I can. "The way of a man seems right to him, but in the end, it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25) How many of us can share testimony of biting the dust time and again when we listen to our own 'wisdom' and choose to walk our own way? No need for a show of hands...we've all exemplified the rightness of God's ways with disobedience. We're a myriad of "Exhibit A"s in God's courtroom that validate His truth.

I pray that we can learn to truly love God's ways and desire obedience as a great treasure. There is no better way to live than in harmony with God, so let's get in tune with Him and follow His direction. Beautiful music with God begins with obedience.

Love,
Joelene