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God as the Righteous Judge

This meditation is based on a passage for August 31, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Psalm 7

Reflection and Question: The psalmist here has complete faith that God will judge rightly. The poet is described as blameless before God and looks for God to be severe in judgment against her or his enemies even as God “saves the upright of heart.” One challenge to this point of view is Paul’s reminder that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In other words, the line between good and evil runs through every heart. The important thing is for us to repent, recommitting ourselves to the right. When God judges you, what will you say?

Prayer: O Love, if I have been unkind, unloving, or acted in ignorance,
If I have been unjust to others seeing my own weaknesses in them,
Forgive me, O Gracious One, and give me the grace to make amends, 
that we may walk again in harmony.
(from Psalm 7 in Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying, pp. 8-9)