Rise Up, O God!

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Rise Up, O God!

Date: Apr. 15, 2016

Passage

Psalm 82:1-8 (ESV)

A Psalm of Asaph.

1   God has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2   “How long will you judge unjustly
    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3   Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4   Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5   They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
    they walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6   I said, “You are gods,
    sons of the Most High, all of you;
7   nevertheless, like men you shall die,
    and fall like any prince.”
8   Arise, O God, judge the earth;
    for you shall inherit all the nations!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!

First, defend the weak and the fatherless (1-4). The highest court has been called to order. God is the Judge. He has called the "gods" (the rulers of this age) to account. He rebukes them for defending the unjust and showing partiality to the wicked (2). He exhorts them to defend the weak and the fatherless and uphold the cause of the oppressed (3). The scales of justice are often turned into the scales of oppression when earthly rulers and judges show partiality to the wicked and take bribes to look the other way. God will bring these "gods" to justice on Judgment Day.

Second, God will judge the earth (5-8). These "gods" know nothing. They walk about in darkness (5). They were placed in authority by God to bring justice and order on earth but now they will die like mere mortals. They will fall like every other ruler (7). God is the righteous Judge of all the earth. His judgment is just and impartial. We must put our faith in him and wait for the day when he will judge the wicked and save the righteous (8).

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me to live by faith and wait for you to rise up and judge the wicked.

One Word: God is the Righteous Judge

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references