Receiving Comfort in Judgment

27 MAY

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the right, and I shall behold His righteousness. Micah 7:9

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 103:1-12

After the church confesses her sin against God, she turns her eyes elsewhere. She says she was unjustly oppressed by her enemies, and they were led to do wrong by cruelty alone. She thus entertains the hope and expectation that God will defend her innocence and punish the wicked. Yet she humbly acknowledges that she too has sinned against God.

Whenever our enemies do us harm, let us lay hold of the truth that God will be our defender, for He is the patron of justice and equity. He will not abandon us to the violence of the wicked. He will at length heed our pleading, undertake our cause, and be our advocate.

In the meantime, let us be mindful of our sins so that in true humiliation before God we may not hope for the salvation that He promises to us except through His gracious pardon.

Why, then, are the faithful bidden to be of good comfort in their afflictions? Because God promises to be their Father. He receives them under His protection and testifies that His help to them shall never be wanting. But how can they be confident of this? Is it because they are worthy? Is it because they deserve something like this?

By no means, for they acknowledge themselves to be guilty when they humbly prostrate themselves before God and willingly condemn themselves before His tribunal, so that they may anticipate His judgment. 

We now see how the prophet connects these two things, comfort and judgment, which might otherwise seem contradictory.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

The wonder of grace is clearly demonstrated in God's willingness to protect and preserve those who have grievously sinned against Him. Though we are sinners, we may confidently plead for the justice of God - the very justice that we have offended - against our enemies for Christ's sake.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke