August 14th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Psalm 82
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.”

Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!

Reflection
Sometimes we think we are a god and make judgments on people. We make false judgments on people with our own points of view.

God's judgment however is just and true. Human judgment easily brings cause and reason to why a person is poor or lowly or weak or destitute. Human judgment and false judgments are based on false beliefs that the judge is right and everyone else is wrong or at some stage of being on the wrong path. Human judgment can be made without understanding or knowledge of the situation of the person being judged. Therefore, as gods, in our judgment, we fail.

God's judgments are just and true. God will judge all. We all have fallen short. But thanks be to God, our Judge has compassion and grace. Thanks be to God, our Judge sends salvation. Thanks be to God, the only true Judge came to this earth to live and die for all those who have fallen short and rescued the weak, the needy, the destitute and the lowly. God, our Judge, rescues you and me.

Prayer
Lord, keep me from passing false judgment on another person this day. Open my eyes to compassion and love and grace. You have shown such Love that leads all your people to love you and one another... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen