Grace Words

A Daily Bible Reader's Blog

Presented by Mike Tune and Amazing Grace International, Inc.

Thursday, May 29. Psalms 11 – 13

Gerald Wilson has written these words that are most appropriate as we consider Psalm 11: “In a world and society run amok, where the dignity of life is casually ignored and raw power rules in the place of justice, righteousness and equity, what can a righteous person hope to do?”

Often the first response is “run.”

A friend posted an article on Facebook recently lamenting a particular trend of unrighteousness and the growing acceptance of immorality and prejudice against those who would speak out against it. Someone else commented: “That’s why I am moving to New Zealand.”

I wondered: “Does he really believe things are different there? And even if they are, for how long?”

Another response is despondency. “Woe is us!” I know Jesus said “Blessed are they that mourn,” but really, is that what God wants, for his people to see everything as hopeless?

And still another response is “let’s fight,” which more often than not leads to social crusades conducted in Christ’s name but far from a Christ-like way.

Psalm 11 reminds us: God is in charge. There is no need to run, and while we should lament the state of our world, we should remember that little more can be expected of a world lost in sin. Again, God is in charge. He will exact justice. Until He does, our “fight” involves following Jesus, living like Jesus, and calling others to do the same. There is no need to be despondent. We are the children of Him who sits on the throne and who will right every wrong.

Reading Through the Bible, Sunday, May 29. Psalms 8-11

    The creation is nowhere defended in scripture.  It is presented as a fact, a nail pounded deeply into the hardest of wood.  Hanging from this nail are tremendous truths – one of which is seen in Psalm 8.

    God is the master creator of all things.  He set everything into place.  Nothing came about by random chance and the fact of God’s sovereignty is seen by the praise of the weakest in the face of the strongest (children and infants vs.  foe and avenger).

    And yet, this sovereign God has placed all His creation under the rule and authority of mankind, exalting this being, though also created and lower in status than the angels, to a position second only to God.

    For this blessing, the Psalmist praises God.

    But the importance of the Psalm has to do with the status of mankind.  We are not just a piece of the cosmos.  We are not just another type of being.  We are different, superior, and in charge.  But, of course, only if God is the creator.  If He is not, we have no more moral authority than any other living thing in nature.  We cannot claim authority because we are bigger or smarter or more powerful.  And if we do so, we justify those of our own species who would oppress us because they are bigger, smarter, and more powerful.

    God being creator is hugely important to our moral well-being, and His placement of us in charge should lead us all to praise His majestic name.