“Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people, and He abhorred His heritage; He gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. Many times He delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry. For their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love. He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive. Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy Name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” Psalm 106:40-48
Devotional Thought For The Day
We have meditated upon the numerous egregious causes for God’s anger to grow against His own dear people, the children of Israel. These verses serve as a synopsis for the cyclical history repeated over and over again, as recorded throughout the Old Testament, particularly from the time of the judges to the end of the kingdom. Unfortunately, the meditations of the psalmist did not interrupt this cycle; and ultimately there was no place left for the nation of Abraham’s descendants. The ten northern tribes were eradicated by the Assyrians [ca 700 B.C.] and the southern kingdom essentially ended by the Babylonians [ca 600 B.C.]. The final end, in view of the capitulation to legalistic Judaism and rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, came with the utter destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans [ca 70 A.D.]. The modern nation of Israel is neither theological nor religious in nature.
Still, the psalmist prayed for God’s mercy to continue, and for God to continue gathering the remnant, the few who respond to His Word with repentance, faith, and renewed commitment to God’s loving will – those who rejoice in His gracious and merciful redemption, who glory in His praise, who bless Him and praise Him for His love. There is acknowledgement that His people will be strewn “among the nations,” that there will be hardship and even captivity that His children will have to endure. There is no question that His judgments are just and right – in view of human sin, even that of His dear people. But the invitation remains and there will always be people who return to God in genuine repentance and who embrace the gospel of His gracious redemption, who do indeed say “Amen!” to God’s Word and His ways.
The temptation is almost impossible to overcome, to think that our task as children of God is to somehow create anew an earthly kingdom of God that is visible, glorious, powerful, and important and influential in the political affairs of mankind. Whether the goal is national and international, or very local, we are intuitively compelled to create and rely on institutions, and to equate them with the real kingdom of God which is “not of this world” but actually “within you” [John 18:36,37; Luke 17:20,21]. But the history of Israel, and the history of the institutional church [once it gained legality, legitimacy, and preferred status], makes clear that institutions are always subject to corruption, and frequently end up contributing to perversion, ignorance of God, rejection of His love and His Word, and under His condemnation and judgment. Those who attach allegiance to such institutions, in disregard of God’s Word [Holy Scripture, the Bible], are dragged away from God and into the same condemnation.
The only purpose of churchly “institutions” is to serve the cause of the gospel, the good news of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus. To this end they must support and even demand truth, integrity, and sincere and honest repentance, and they must be unequivocal in communicating the reality of God’s gracious and merciful gift of forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this way alone the regenerating and renewing power of God’s love is unleashed in the hearts and minds of human beings. The only way in which this is accomplished is by complete devotion to the written Word of God, Holy Scripture, the Bible. Institutions which are committed to this work of God are under constant attack – both from the enemies of God on the outside and from subversion within. Still, remarkably and miraculously, the prayer of the psalmist continues to be answered, and Christ continues to build His true church – repentant and joyous believers who are the salt and light of the world.
There are institutions which at least to some degree serve God’s purposes, the cause of the gospel, congregations and larger churchly institutions. These should be supported, prayed for, and adhered to insofar as they present God’s Word and call us to repentance and faith. Those who seek to corrupt and impede them and their ministers, or who leave and forsake them to pursue other “spiritual purposes and fulfillment” cut themselves off from the kingdom of God – and adrift from His Word and His grace, to wander under His judgment. Lord, have mercy! Corrupt institutions which have nothing to do with calling people to repentance and faith also remain under God’s wrath and judgment. So let us beware, and grow in discernment, so that we are not confused by the nature of institutions but remain attentive to the Word and calling of God. Then, regardless of our circumstances, we will forever “give thanks to [God’s] holy Name and glory in [His] praise.” We will join the psalmist in proclaiming: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” We will say “Amen” and “Praise the LORD!”
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, we continue to celebrate Your birth and the joy of Your salvation. Keep our hearts and minds ever focused on the truth of Your Word, that we continue to confess our sin with honesty and integrity, that we find full comfort, peace, and joy in Your forgiveness and salvation, and that we remain fully committed to Your will, the ways of love. Bless all churchly institutions that faithfully bring Your Word and salvation to mankind; crush all who oppose Your kingdom and corrupt Your people. Keep us in true faith that we bless Your holy Name forever. Amen.