Saturday
Judging the World
"For He has set a day for justly judging the world by the man He has appointed, and has pointed Him out by bringing Him back to life again" (Acts 17:31).
Why does God command men and women to repent? And why does He expect you and me to relay His message to them?
The answer is simple: because "He has set a day for justly judging the world." And if people refuse to be penitent and thus become pardoned, they must be condemned.
"Justly," of course, can be interpreted: "according to the rules of strict justice." And who will do the judging? The man God has appointed - His only Son, Jesus Christ; the one He has pointed out to us clearly by bringing Him back to life again.
Jesus, you will remember, declared that He would judge the nations (John 5:25, 26 and Matthew 25). God confirmed the truth of those declarations by raising Him from the dead - giving His sanction to what the Lord Jesus has said, for surely God would not work a miracle on behalf of an imposter.
What comfort and help can you and I receive from these truths today? Surely, this is a reminder that God is still on the throne; He is in control; nothing is going on in the world without His knowledge and consent.
Further, we are reminded of God's justice, which assures us that He will always do right in behalf of His children. That falls right in line with Romans 8:28, of course, which concerns all things working together for our good.
Bible Reading: 7 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:7-10)
Today's Action Point:
World turmoil will not upset me, for I know the God who sits on the throne - and who rules over all.
By Dr. Bill Bright