Standing before the Judge

Psalm 96:1-6

 “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!  Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” 

I often wonder, yes, even imagine, standing before the Judge, the Father, Holy God, in heaven. Knowing how much of His word I’ve read and not lived up to.  Let me be quick to state that I have some understanding of Romans 8:1. God’s grace and the blood of Jesus Christ cover​s​ my many sins. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  And the day I stand before the Judge, there will not be condemnation and no separation, for I am an heir with Christ.  If you are in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17, tells us you are a New Creation, (even though you do not always feel or act like it.)  And if that’s not enough what about 2 Corinthians 5:21, we are becoming the righteousness of God (you can’t get more righteous than this.)  Yes, your true identity is in Christ, and Ephesian 1:7 makes clear we are redeemed and forgiven.

But I do recall that as a child I wanted to please my dad, I longed to hear Bobby you were great at catching that ball, are did the yard better than I could, or maybe, Bobby it makes us proud when you do what we ask.  But that was not who my dad was, but it sure what my Father in heaven is.  He so enjoys the new song of His children. When I was doing a lot of driving in my business life, I would sing a song that I made up just thinking about God’s love for me.  He's Holy and merciful and loves to see us being like His Son, Jesus when we encounter our families, friends, neighbors, and those who even want to do us harm.

I hope that each of us parks here, and gives thought to verses 5-6, “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice