Welcome to Tuesday Morning-—here encouragement reigns for those who trust in God.

 

God's promises almost always require conditions to be met before the promises are fulfilled. Do you recall 2 Chronicles 7:14 in the Old Testament? Here is how it reads: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Some would like to delete the first part ("If my people....") and focus only on the second part ("then I will hear from heaven...and heal their land"). Sorry. It doesn't work that way. In 1 John 1:9 the apostle offers this promise, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

 

If the conditions are met, the promises are fulfilled.

 

This week's Tuesday Morning is entitled, "The Judge Is Here." It is attached below. Read on whenever you are ready, and then begin to meet the conditions so you will receive the blessings of God. 

 

Tom Barnard

A Senior Encourager

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The Judge Is Here!

Tom Barnard

 

ave you ever wanted to hear God speak out-loud? Or have you ever wondered how great it would be to hold in your hands a written message from God that was more current than 90 AD? I confess I have had these thoughts, but it is unlikely that my wishes will be granted in this life.

 

The psalmist Asaph did hear God’s voice, and he recorded what God said to him in Psalm 50. Here is how he began the psalm that was directed to the Children of Israel.

 

“The mighty God, the Lord, has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from east to west! From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches with the noise of thunder. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. Heaven and earth will be his witnesses as he judges his people. ‘Bring my faithful people to me—those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.’ Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge.” (Psalm 50:1-6 NLT)

 

Psalm 50 was not an invitation to afternoon tea. This was serious stuff. The psalmist said, “God, the Lord, has spoken.” And here is what the Lord God had to say to the Israelites through Asaph.

 

To the righteous in Israel God said: “Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God! I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly bring to my altar. But I want no more bulls from your barns; I want no more goats from your pens…What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High” (Psalm 50:7-15).  

 

That was then, but what would God say to believers today? I think he would say, “Regarding your tithes and offerings, listen up. I would rather have you than your gold and silver. If I own you, I own your assets. If I own your assets, we can accomplish much together.”

 

What would God say to today’s church? I think he would say, “Don’t even think about building a memorial on my behalf. And be very careful about putting my name on your buildings. I don’t need buildings to get the job done. I need people! I need you.”

 

To the unrighteous in Israel God said: “Recite my laws no longer, and don’t pretend that you obey me. For you refuse my discipline and treat my laws like trash…Your mouths are filled with wickedness, and your tongues are full of lies. You sit around and slander a brother—your own mother’s son. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you. Repent, all of you who ignore me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you” (Psalm 50:16-22).  

 

I know one thing: I don’t want to hear God say those words to me! God was warning the Israelites that there will be a day of judgment when the evil deeds done against innocents will be announced. Regarding our behavior as believers, I think God is pointing out the obvious to us. I believe he is laying down a warning to evil doers, and I am confident that he is challenging believers to learn from the mistakes of the wicked. He may be saying to us, “To you who believe, observe the judgment I am declaring to the wicked people of this world. You may see only part of my vengeance, but what remains ahead for evil-doers will be awesome, and it will be final.”   

 

There is another thought from this psalm that we should not overlook. With all the warnings to both believers and unbelievers, God offers a promise. Here is what God said (v. 23 NKJV): “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” There is no doubt that God responds to a certain type of sacrifice—our praise. He is honored when we are grateful. And to those who praise him, he is willing to reveal to them his plan of salvation. Outstanding!