Psalm 8:1; “Come Thou Fount” (Robert Robinson—1758).
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Romans 2. The first two verse captured my attention, the the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind pondering an insight regarding truth that deepened my understanding:
Romans 2:1 ¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
The “things” referenced in both verses points back to Romans 1:17-32. The list includes everything there listed under the heading: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness”
The word that is translated revealed is apokalupto. If when you hear this, or sound it out, you think of the word apocalypse, you are not wrong to make the connection. Both of them are rooted in the word reveal (Romans 2:2—revealed; Revelation 1:1—revelation). And I think there is an important insight in the relationship between Romans 2:2 and Revelation 1:1.
Sometimes wickedness is open and revealed long before the wrath appears. We often feel discouraged when the wicked triumph, when they appear to be happy, full of wealth, and children, and every other measurement of success, happiness, and contentment in this world. The heart of saints have historically struggled with this: Asaph nearly fell away because of it (Psalm 73:2-3; see verses 12-14—but then Asaph “understood their end” verse 16-17); Jeremiah engaged God directly with his consternation about this (Jeremiah 12:1-2); David and Solomon warned against falling into this trap (Psalm 37:1-7; Proverbs 24:19-20). One entire book is dedicated to the dilemma (Job).
It’s easy to dismiss this quandry as mere appearances: if the truth were known, we would see that the wicked are secretly miserable, and the righteous secretly prosperous and blessed. There is truth to this observation; however, when we talk of the secret misery of the wicked, and the afflictions of the rich, we should remember that the righteous among us suffer misery and afflictions too.
Along the still waters, I pondered the fact that the Spirit says God’s judgment with regard to the wicked is “according to truth.” His judgment, to allow the wicked to sometimes prosper, and His own to sometimes suffer, is “according to truth.” What truth emerges when God sometimes delays the punishment of the wicked, and prolongs the difficulties of the righteous?
If you think about it as I have, you’ll see many things. The first truth revealed is the hateful nature of sin. I’ve often said, if God immediately judged every wicked person before they committed any wickedness, we would not know the exceeding sinfulness of sin: the Law defines it, and the damage brought into the world brings affliction on many that are innocent. The greatest example of that is the Cross; where God, in Christ, suffered for our sins that we might be redeemed.
If God immediately punished the sin of the wicked, but did not do so upon the righteous, He would be unjust. Another thing we see is God’s mercy; in fact, Paul spoke directly to that in Romans 2:4. Nevertheless, we long for, and appropriately pray for God to reward the righteous and punish the wicked (Romans 2:5-16).
The connection between Romans 2:2 and Revelation 1:1 is indicated in Romans 2:5-6, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.”
The wrath is fully revealed in the Revelation.
In the valley, I knelt in the shadow of His cross and thought about the answer God gave to all mankind on that day which satisfies the consternation of Jeremiah, the fear of Asaph, the frustration of Job, and our own doubts too: we see there the fullest expression of evil conquered by the fullest expression of Love. We endure our troubles, tribulations, and trials because we love Him Who first loved us. We do not fret at the prosperity of the wicked, rather we plead the answer of the cross and warn them not to despise His mercy, admonishing them to flee the revelation of the fiery wrath of GOD (Jude 23).
At the table, my shepherd lovingly anointed my head with His oil, took my cup, and poured into it my day’s portion, intermingled with His sufficient grace. Goodness and mercy appeared, and followed me as I followed Him into His harvest.
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap:
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