The Verse of the Day for September 26, 2015 describes one of the amazing facets of “the living God” who is serves as Judge in Hebrews 10:30-31:
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The passage is rendered this way in the Amplified Bible:
Hebrews 10:30-31:
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me], I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath].
In recognizing the truth that God is the ultimate judge of humanity, we also recognize that He is also a God who tempers judgment with mercy in Lamentations 3:22-23:
22 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Nowhere is the righteous judgment of God balanced with His mercy and lovingkindness more brilliantly displayed than in this passage from Psalm 103:6-14
The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all the oppressed.
7
He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.
9
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10
He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve],
Nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness.
11
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].
12
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13
Just as a father loves his children,
So the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].
14
For He knows our [mortal] frame;
He remembers that we are [merely] dust.
We close with a reading from Psalm 103 by Hillsong
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