Just & True

Beloved People of God,

 Music is such a unique gift. With a few simple chords a song can energize us. A few words become an anthem when set to music. With the strum of a few strings our souls can be set at ease (1 Samuel 16.23).

In the middle of the outpouring of God’s final wrath, the final measure meted out against those who oppose His justice and truth, a song is sung in heaven. We’ve seen in Scripture how God puts His sovereignty powerfully on display over the chaotic waters. His Spirit was above the waters of creation and drove apart the Red Sea (Genesis 1.1-2; Exodus 14). Dwelling among Jesus walked on the stormy waters and calmed the raging seas with His voice (Matthew 14.22-33; Mark 4.35-41).

Now, at the end of His wrath, the Lord pours His judgment on land, sea and sky. As /his messengers carry forth His command, an angel placed over the waters sings. He sings of God’s just judgment and righteous truth (Revelation 16.5-6). Like King Saul, tormented by his own wickedness, it is easy for us to condemn God’s just judgment against us. We isolate decisions and excuse behaviors. We align ourselves with the powerful of this world in their injustice against others and refuse to see the blood on our own hands (Amos 2.6-8; Isaiah 10.1-4).

It is to us the angel’s song is sung as the judgment is poured out. It is a renewed invitation to repent and live in Christ’s compassion. This song is a call to sing with those beneath the altar, the witnesses who’ve gone before us, the men, women and children’s whose lives testified to the mercy of God denied justice by cruel humanity. Beloved, let’s repent of our sin. Let’s lay our souls bare before our righteous and compassionate God, following His Spirit into the lives of the widow, the orphan and the resident alien (James 1.27). And with our brothers and sisters beneath the altar, let’s sing in reply, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” (Revelation 16.7). 

For His Name’s Sake,

Brett