#DailyDevotion God, The Almighty, Judges All Authorities On Earth
Psalm 82 God takes His place in His own congregation and does the judging among the “gods”: 2“How long are you going to judge unjustly and favor the wicked?” (Music)
We probably should first take care of the issue of “gods.” The word is elohim in Hebrew. Very often it is used of God Himself, I believe revealing Himself as Triune. Some say it is because of His majesty He gets a plural designation. But it can refer to a multiple of gods as in the false gods. Here though, elohim is designating those on earth who execute judgment upon the earth, i.e. judges, elders, princes, and kings etc.. According to Romans 13 there is no government that exists that God did not institute. He institutes it and places men into the positions to punish those who do evil and reward those that do good.
Here God comes in the midst of those He designated with His title to judge them according to what they have done with the authority He has given them. He brings forth the accusation against them that they have not been using their authority in a godly way. They are judging unjustly and favoring the wicked. They are abusing their power. God does call into account all those whom He has given authority to rule. If they abuse that authority, they will not get away with it in His tribunal. They will be judged rightly by the Almighty.
3“Give justice to the weak and fatherless and those who suffer and are poor. 4Rescue the weak and the needy; save them from the hands of the wicked.”
Here is what authority is to be doing in a godly way. They are to give justice. In particular, they are to give justice to those who especially need those in authority to give justice because they have no power of their own to wield justice, namely the weak, the fatherless, the poor and those who suffer. I’m sure in this list the widows must be in mind. Government authority is to save them from the hands of the wicked, not assist the wicked in running roughshod over them.
5They don’t know or understand anything as they walk around in the dark, and all the foundations of the world are shaken. 6It was I Who said, “You are gods; all of you are sons of the Most High; 7but as human beings you die and fall like any of the princes.”
Apparently some in authority don’t know or understand they will be judged by the Almighty. Well they better get a grip soon because God will judge them. These gods (and some politicians think they are gods) will die as mere men and will fall like any of the princes. While having the power of God over people’s lives, it is borrowed and they should recognize this and use it wisely.
Jesus quotes verse six here in John 10 when the Jews want to kill Him for claiming to be God’s Son. Jesus tells them if God has called these men gods and sons, how much more the Son of Man whom the Father has consecrated and sent, who does the Father’s work, has a right to call Himself, the Son of God. Of course the Jews who heard this still wanted to kill Jesus using blasphemy as an excuse.
8Come, O God, judge the world because all the nations belong to You.
God did come and judge the world in Jesus Christ. He received in Himself the judgment of the world and redeemed it. He purchased all nations with His blood to save them from judgment. Those who believe and trust in Him will escape judgment. Those who do not will get what they deserve.
Heavenly Father, grant wisdom to those in authority over us to execute godly judgment. Grant us faith in Jesus so we may escape Your judgment when Christ is revealed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.