Praise for God’s Justice
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Key Verse: “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners.” Selected Scripture: |
IN OUR LESSON, THE psalmist expresses from the depths of his heart the gratitude due to the Creator who is most worthy to be praised. “Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”—Ps. 146:1,2
David did not wish anyone to place their trust in him or in any human agency, even princes. No matter how mighty, wise, or prudent, they could not be depended upon to be always reliable and faithful to their word. (vs. 3) On the contrary, full confidence can be placed in God, whose promises are always true.—James 1:17
In the Genesis account, the penalty for Adam’s disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit was clearly stated to be death. Although there is a widely held belief that the soul cannot actually die, such a thought is contradicted in the Bible. (Matt. 10:28) Without the future hope of a resurrection of the dead, made possible by the faithful sacrifice of Christ Jesus in giving his perfect life as a ransom sacrifice for Adam and all of his posterity, those who go into the tomb would forever remain in a state of unconsciousness and non-existence. “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”—Ps. 146:4
Our Key Verses indicate that it was God’s special care for his ancient people Israel that was reflected in their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. His care was also shown in providing manna for them throughout their wilderness journey. It is the same God who will provide justice and blessings for all of the resurrected human family as they come into harmony with his purpose and plans.
“The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous: The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.” (vss. 8,9) God’s instrumentality for accomplishing all of this is Christ Jesus, who gave his life as a ransom for all to purchase mankind.—I Tim. 2:5,6
Jesus was offered for the purpose of eradicating sin and, therefore, had to be perfect in every way in order to redeem Adam and his race. Our Lord was a man of sorrows not because there was any deficiency in his being. Because of his perfection, he felt deeply the afflictions upon fallen humanity which he observed all around him. His perfect sensibilities enabled him to enter into the sorrows of the poor, groaning, and dying world of mankind. On many occasions during his ministry, he gave of his own vitality to heal those who were afflicted, thereby refreshing and restoring them at the cost of his own personal strength.—Isa. 53:4; Luke 6:17,19
When God’s kingdom is established, his love and justice will be seen and appreciated by all. At that time, the sentiments expressed in our final verse will become a reality. “The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.”—Ps. 146:10