Today's Worship: The Judge is standing at the door!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 5:9b,

 

"The Judge is standing at the door!"

 

Here is a sobering thought... the Judge is standing at the door! James tells his readers to consider their attitude toward one another because judgment is imminent - the Judge is right at the door. Who is this judge? The Lord himself. Where we may even have legitimate grievances against other believers, we are to be patient and "stand firm" not giving into grumbling against one another.

 

James follows this comment by talking about the importance of persevering under just such difficult circumstances. He uses Job as an example. Job suffered tremendously as an innocent and unknowing participant in a point God made with the devil. Yet he remained steadfast and persevered through it. James instructs us all to follow his example.

 

Because the Judge is "standing at the door" we don't want to find ourselves in his cross hairs. Likewise, we can take comfort in knowing that whatever grievances we have with one another, the Lord will settle those things for us. Paul encourages us with, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5.

 

When it comes to dealing with those who have wronged us Paul tells us, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14.

 

Only in the context of such a kind, merciful and forgiving Lord can such happen. Because the Lord has forgiven me, because the Lord has been merciful to me, I can be with others. As James says in 2:13b, "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com