Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 23, 2010
“He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, ‘Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is not injustice or partiality or bribery.” 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
Judges are first accountable to God. Even if they do not believe in God they are accountable to God. Our rule of law is based on God’s law. They are intertwined like salt and water in the sea. You cannot have one without the other. The ocean would not be the ocean if it were not filled with salty water. Our law is like water salted with God’s truth.
America will cease to be America if the law, based on the Word of God, does not govern her. A judge can recognize this historical fact and reality, or he can ignore it and even attempt to overturn it. However, his choice to create a new standard based on man’s relevant wisdom will not be without consequences. Who defines truth when you marginalize God’s law? Who is capable of defining right and wrong other than the Lord?
It is the pinnacle of pride to think that man can replace God. Yet this is where we find ourselves. We are bored with the obvious. God is not good enough for us anymore. We desire something more compliant to our selfish and man centered behavior. So-called enlightened, intellectual progressives are leading us down a slippery slope to perdition. A man centered judicial system leads to an inconsistent mess with a society out of control.
So what does a follower of Christ do? Do we have recourse? Yes! We train up children to fear God. We challenge them to study law, political science, philosophy, theology and history. We provide for them environments that will produce judicial giants grounded in the law of God. Education is our friend. Some great educational institutions founded by faith have left their roots, but there are others who stand on the solid rock of Scripture.
Do not let the status of the world relegate you to irreverence and moral ambiguity. Partner with educational institutions that will produce judges who fear God and abhor sin. Pray for men and women who will judge justly and under His authority. Pseudo intelligence seeks to leave out God, when in reality true wisdom comes from God. This is why the Ten Commandments are displayed in the highest court of our land.
Lastly, support our political process of judicial elections and appointments. Your involvement makes a difference. The character and moral judgment of our judges is a values reflection of those who have participated in the process. The appointment of God-fearing judges will not happen by accident. It will happen, as God-fearing people get involved with their time and their money. We are all accountable to God. Let’s judge right now, with God’s standards, knowing that one day we will be judged by His standards.
“You judge by human standards: I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father who sent me” (John 8:15-16).
Do I live uprightly under the law of the land? Do I expect judges to judge according to God’s standards?
Related Readings: Genesis 18:25-26; Psalm 51:4; John 18:31-32; Romans 3:3-8
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God. Check out our WH bookstore for additional wisdom resources.
