Merciful Justice. Worship: September 22, 2024

In today’s Old Testament Reading, Jeremiah has just learned of a plot against him, and he asks God to provide him justice, ridding him of his enemies. David’s psalm likewise asks God to intervene and provide justice. Indeed, when we are weak in the face of opposition, that is when we need to rely on our great God. But if He measured out the same justice on us all, we would be doomed! Even one of the Twelve betrayed our Lord! But God “gives grace to the humble,” James teaches in the Epistle. Only when we acknowledge God’s grace in Christ can we pray for His justice. The Twelve were ignorant of Jesus’ coming sacrifice, but we are well aware that by it we have received every grace and blessing. Today we thank God for His grace to us as He deals with the sin-filled world around us.