Gospel
Reading Plan: Matthew 14-16
The End Times:
Executing Judgement
Read Psalm 149
This Psalm begins by describing the praise and worship of
God’s people and then takes a somewhat unexpected turn in verse 6, speaking to
the future when the saints of God will join Jesus on white horses as He
executes judgement on the nations.
One’s first response might by, “Whoa! God, I don’t want
to be a part of this!” But we read praise and joy in the act of these saintly
warriors. This is not a gory and gruesome delight in murder; no! It is the joy
of righteousness. Everything Jesus does is righteous and good. And it is a relief to know that He will bring
justice to the millions of persecuted Christians, women and children enslaved
in the sex trade, and people suffering under oppression! His justice is GOOD!
Our God is a mighty Judge and as saintly warriors, we will join Him with
praises on our tongues and double-edged swords of truth in our hands. This is
to God’s glory, as He makes ready the coming of the city of God to earth.
Overview
Verses 1-5: Let
all God’s people praise Him
Verse 6-9: God’s
people join Him to execute judgement on the nations
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1)
As the Bride of Christ, we must seek
purity and righteousness in our lives. Fighting in the Lord’s army is a
particularly strange thought if we don’t love righteousness now. Ask God to reveal any sinful
behaviour that you enjoy and any righteousness that you despise. Confess these
to Him and ask Him to give you a heart for righteousness and goodness, a heart
like His.
2) Has a personal injustice been done to
you that you would like to see avenged? (Such as unfairness at work, or a
person you would like to be put in his place, etc.) Have you tried to take
justice into your own hands at all? Ask God, the Judge, to stand up for you.
Submit your desire for justice and submit your heart to Him. Will you trust Him
to be your advocate? How will this trust be evident in your life?
3) Is this picture of Jesus as Judge and
saints with swords hard for you to swallow? If so, admit this to Him, and ask
Him to give you His heart for righteousness and for the oppressed people in the
world.
