1. WHY MEN SHOULD FEAR BEFORE GOD (Rev 15:3-4; Eccles 3:14-15)

No knowledge surpasses the knowledge of the Most High, and a saving knowledge of God is the primary need of every man. Knowledge of God excites in men a holy fear. Those who fear not God merely expose their woeful and pitiful ignorance. Every man should be acquainted with the character, works and counsel of God. The more he learns of these, the more he learns to fear Him, the One with whom we have to do.

In today’s two verses, we have a striking view of God’s immutability: He changes not. Like Himself, His counsel is eternal, not to be altered or affected by man’s will or power. “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Ps 33:11). In the midst of seeming turmoil and confusion, God’s eternal counsel pursues its unchanging course. His decrees are like chariots coming out between the mountains of brass (Zech 6:1). Our God “is in one mind, and who can turn him?” (Job 23:13)

SING YE THE PRAISES OF GOD!

If you know the LORD, you will sing of His works and His perfection. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect” (Deut 32:4). Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. God’s work is complete, lacking nothing. There is no defect, neither any redundancy. Do you know His glorious attributes? The better you know Him, the deeper you will grow to love Him.

All His ways are judgment. He is God of truth. Just and holy is the LORD. All His works are perfect. Do you know His crowning work, His masterpiece of Divine workmanship? God in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Cor 5:19)! With one perfect sacrifice and shout of triumph He did it. “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Once for all — perfect! Nothing can ever be added to it, nor anything taken from it.

Remember then, God’s greatest work perfected your salvation and mine. Earthly things shall pass away, but “… my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished” (Isa 51:6).

Now, dear reader, do you know why we must fear God? And also praise Him?

QUIZ: What is the end of those who fear not the LORD?

THOUGHT: Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty.

2. OUR GOD SHALL JUDGE (2 Pet 3:8-9;
Eccles 3:16-22)

Were you ever troubled by the apparent inequalities of divine Government? Men complain: “If there is a God, why is there so much injustice, inequality and oppression?” The Psalmist said, “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning …When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end” (Ps 73:14,16-17). The Psalmist too had this problem — until he sought an answer from God.

To men who only dispute about what they see, this problem becomes a stumbling block. They then find fault with God’s doings — matters which are far beyond their grasp. David met with the same difficulty. He received an answer in the sanctuary of God. No earthly government is perfect. The best are prone to injustice. Wrongful sentences and executions are discovered years after. Power in the most impartial hands may still become a corrupting force. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” So dangerous is worldly elevation! The pinnacle is a slippery and hazardous position. Our corrupt inner man can bear little raising. But he who is low need fear no fall.

IN GOD’S GOOD TIME

Impatience is the undoing of mortal men. “Why does not God judge NOW?” We cry, justice! Why does the righteous Judge delay His work? Simply because God is not a man. He says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isa 55:8). God acts in His own mysterious way, moves at His own unhurried pace. But when it happens, it is with awesome finality and suddenness. It happened before to Sodom and Gomorrah, and to the pre-Flood world.

God’s judgment will be swift and sure when it comes. However, there is a time for every purpose, and for every work. In that day, the Judge of all the earth shall do right. He shall avenge His own elect speedily.

But we look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. Until then, hold fast your faith with unshakable grasp. The time will not be long.

QUIZ: Why has the Judge of all the earth not come?

THOUGHT: Occupy till I come!

3. BEHOLD THE TEARS OF THE OPPRESSED (Isa 61:1-3; Eccles 3:14-15)

Hear! The little children weeping,
Ere the sorrow comes with years?
Leaning heads upon their mothers,
Shedding drops of bitter tears.
Young lambs bleating in the meadows,
Young birds chirping in their nests,
Young fawns playing in the shadows,
Young flowers blowing t’ward the west
But the children, O my brothers!
They are weeping bitterly
In the playtime of the others,
In the country of the free!
AND THEY HAD NO COMFORTER

Solomon looked and behold! Oppression everywhere! It was a sad, sad world. Is our world any better? Hardly. If anything, worse, and the worst is yet to be. Godless totalitarian regimes flourish, as well as godless “Christian” nations, where the powerful tramples on the weak and oppression seems to be the order of the day. We have not reached the darkest hour yet.

O see the tears of the oppressed in Communist-dominated lands, the silent suffering saints in labour camps and dungeons dark, oppressed for their faith. O see the tears of the downtrodden, laid low by Capitalist greed. Through the long ages tears have flowed, enough to float a navy! And think of God’s people, despised, dispersed and destroyed in their millions by anti-Semitics everywhere. Jeremiah’s words remind of their age-long sufferings. “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jer 9:1).

THE SAVIOUR HAS COME!

But the Saviour has come! “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim… the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn” (Isa 61:1-2).

QUIZ: “Liberation theology” is held up by certain “Christians” as the answer to social injustice and oppression. What do you think?

THOUGHT: No peace until the coming of the Prince of Peace.

God bless you, dear readers.