What Is Judgement?

There are so many quick thoughts about God’s judgement, His decision-making, in the world.

Some jump on the judgement bandwagon whenever there is disaster (that doesn’t impact them significantly), and declare God’s judgement is being enacted. Their mouths should be wired shut.

Others, a kinder, gentler segment of the race, will never even allow the language of God acting in macro-history to cross their lips, or enter their minds. They are empathic toward individuals, yet find it difficult to consider that course-corrections in humanity may be being made by an outside Source. For these, random acts of disaster are just that – random.

I lean toward the latter, but do believe that God acts in ways that are beyond our perception and reason. I.e. There is a bigger Story, though I choose not to even try to state it in the face of personal or corporate disaster.

A glance at the scriptures shows a few key elements that may help us be more silent in the face of what we perceive to be God’s declaration of endorsement or refusal:

Biblical Ideas On God’s judgement:

true

righteous

impartial

It is based on:

What is actually done,

What is actually done according to the light that they’ve recieved, and

Something is based on “day of Jesus Christ” – i.e. the day when secrets are revealed.

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Sheltering Mercy: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms

Sheltering Mercy, along with its companion volume, Endless Grace, helps us rediscover the rich treasures of the Psalms—through free-verse prayer renderings of their poems and hymns—as a guide to personal devotion and meditation.

The church has always used the Psalms as part of its prayer life, and they have inspired countless other prayers. This book contains 75 prayers drawn from Psalms 1-75, providing lyrical sketches of what authors Ryan Smith and Dan Wilt have seen, heard, and felt while sojourning in the Psalms. Each prayer is a response to the Psalms written in harmony with Scripture. These prayers help us quiet our hearts before God and welcome us into a safe place amid the storms of life.

This artful, poetic, and classic devotional book features compelling custom illustrations and foil-stamped hardcover binding, offering a fresh way to reflect on and pray the Psalms.