Known By Judgment

"The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah"

Psalm 9:16

I have been meditating on this verse lately, thinking about God's judgments according to His righteousness.  Though He is absolutely just, He remains gracious, compassionate and full of mercy.  His desire is not to destroy but to draw people to Himself to be delivered and saved from sin and death.  God's judgments are inescapable, yet He provides sure deliverance for all who trust in Him.

The LORD is known to be sovereign over all creation because He judged the whole earth with the great flood.  He observed humanity, not only their wicked deeds, but how the imaginations of their hearts was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).  He did not spring the coming judgment upon unsuspecting people without warning, but explained what was coming through Noah who built the ark and was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).  God followed through on exactly what He said He would do, and that world that perished in the deluge.

God is known by His ability to do the miraculous by bringing 10 severe plagues upon Egypt.  After many warnings by Moses and Aaron, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the children of Israel go from bondage.  God made clear the 10th plague would affect every household as is written in Exodus 12:12:  "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD."  Those who refused to believe God invited death into their households, and the Egyptian idols were powerless to protect or save people from the consequences of unbelief.

The almighty God is known to be powerful over heaven and earth by suddenly rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and the surrounding cities for their wickedness.  God came down and spoke with Abraham, revealing that the cry of Sodom was great and reached up to heaven.  Judgment came in a moment for Sodom's iniquity (Lamentations 4:6) so escape was impossible.  After the flood God promised He would never again destroy the world with water, and has held back judgment that will one day come upon this world with fire as spoken in 2 Peter 3:7:  "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  The LORD has shown Himself sovereign, able and powerful to do exactly as He has said.

One thing all these severe judgments have in common is God preserved a remnant of people who trusted in Him.  Though the flood was global, the plagues widespread and fire raining down on Sodom instantly, God preserved those who believed and obeyed Him.  In every case, all who trusted God were saved.  Noah, his family and animals were saved from the flood.  The Hebrews were spared from plagues in the land of Goshen, their firstborn was spared by putting the blood of the Passover sacrifice on the doorposts of their homes, and they passed safely through the Red Sea on dry land whilst the Egyptians drowned. Lot was taken by the hand by angels who led him with his family out of Sodom before it was utterly consumed.  In all these judgments is seen God's grace, compassion and salvation for those who fear Him.

God is known by the judgment He executes, and the wicked are ensnared by their own hands.  God does not trick or entrap people because He desires their destruction, for man is the one responsible for his own sin God will hold to account.  Because God loves sinners, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to provide atonement for sin, to die on the cross so those ensnared and enslaved by sin could be set free and saved from the wrath to come.  God's righteous justice has been satisfied by the death of Jesus, for the wages of sin is death.  The gift of God is eternal life given by our Saviour who is risen from the dead and will one day return to judge the world in righteousness.  The wise know God by judgment He executes, and thus bow the knee in reverence before Jesus Christ as KING OF KINGS--the God who alone saves.