205. Lovingkindness, Judgment, Righteousness
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in the this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Glory in the Lord and boast in the cross. Glory in this, that you understand and know the Lord. This understanding and knowing is not your doing, but it the Lord that reveals Himself and opens your eyes to see. Jesus brings us to faith, which sees and knows both who the Lord is and what He does. God is who He is; He is, He was, and He always will be. Jesus is the great “I AM.” Thank God that He gives us the wisdom and understanding and vision to believe in Jesus for who He is. This is the promise.
Understanding what the Lord does is just as important as knowing who He is. God exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness. This is His promise for He does this for us in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit convinces us of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. By the Spirit we have wisdom and understanding. Glory in that.
God is Love, and He exercises that Steadfast Love in the world and in our own lives. He is Good, and He always will be. God’s lovingkindness is exercised in this way: He gave His Only Son. And believing in Him is eternal life. The Lord loves totally and unconditionally and eternally. We know it is so because He gave us Jesus and we see the love of God on the Cross, and He assures it to our hearts in the Resurrection. That’s a promise.
God is the Judge, and He exercises perfect and just judgment upon Sin, Death, and Satan on the Cross of the Son. His judgment is sure, final and eternal. Our enemies are completely vanquished. Thank God for His judgment at the cross, in our lives, and at the Last Day. All Evil is utterly defeated, once and for all. Trust the promise of judgment on the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
God is Righteousness, and He exercises that righteousness by giving it to us by grace through faith in Christ. After the Word and Spirit convinces us of our sin and the judgment of evil, then He convinces us that the Lord has declared us righteous, and this righteousness we have received is God’s righteousness.
These are the things God loves to do: He delights in them. He acts according to His character. And this is a promise we can live with.