Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 22, 2013

Justice: “for the Lord God who judges her is strong”

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 18:1-8. 
 
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.  And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!  She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.  For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.”
 
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;  for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.  Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds;  in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.  To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’  For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire;  for the Lord God who judges her is strong.”  Revelation 18:1-8.
 
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Today’s Scripture reveals God’s justice.  Nothing escapes God’s attention.  Nothing unjust escapes God’s thorough and perfect punishment.  In the following Question and Answer 7 of the Westminister Larger Catechism, we read that God is almighty, knows all things, and is most just.

Question 7:  What is God?

Answer:  God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection;  all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

“‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand;  for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?”  Deuteronomy 3:24
 
“And now do not carry on as scoffers, Or your fetters will be made stronger;  For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts Of decisive destruction on all the earth.”  Isaiah 28:22

 
O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
You rule the swelling of the sea;
When its waves rise, You still them.
10 You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain;
You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.

11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all it contains, You have founded them.
12 The north and the south, You have created them;
Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name.
13 You have a strong arm;
Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”  Psalm 89:8-14.

“For the Lord loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones;  They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.”  Psalm 37:28
 
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.”  Psalm 97:1-3.

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