East-West Blog

Joy in Judgment

Written by East-West Staff | Jun 12, 2017 1:00:13 PM

Read Psalm 93:1-13, Psalm 97:1-8, Psalm 98:7-9 and Psalm 99:1-8.

Many overseas workers have a burden for the lost and pine for more time and opportunities to share the good news. They want every person to hear and respond with, "Yes, I'll follow Jesus Christ!" and believe judgment should be postponed as long as possible. This idea is celebrated in our culture because we do not think that seemingly good people should face consequences for choosing a different life than following Jesus Christ.

So often I think the hope of Christ’s coming was to make everything wrong in the world right, but I ignore the fact that making everything right requires judgment of His enemies. Recently while reading the Psalms, I noticed an interesting theme. God’s judgment brings joy. In all four psalms listed today, creation is happy to expect judgment!

Our hope is in Jesus Christ returning to make everything right and establishing His rule. We are urgently compelled to share the bad news of coming judgment and the good news of forgiveness with students, colleagues, and local friends. We hope you will do the same.

God, help us understand that eternal joy in Your rule and reign comes paired with judgment of those who’ve sided against You. Amen.

-from missionaries to East Asia