Court Summons

Read Psalm 50:1-6

The psalmist is describing God's arrival at the court He is convening. "From the rising of the sun [the east] to its going down [the west]" (v. 1), God calls everyone together and says, "I am going to have a judgment." We don't usually think of God as the Judge, but He is. "He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people" (v. 4).

Why does God judge His people? Shouldn't the wicked be judged instead? Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of the Lord (I Pet. 4:17). Our sins were judged at Calvary. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). But our works will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

God does this because He's concerned about His glory. "Out of Zion . . . God will shine" (v. 2). He wants us to glorify Him. He wants us to do His will. Also, God wants to reward His faithful servants. If you need a motivation for faithful service, remember that God will judge and will reward those who are faithful. If you are obeying Him today, you won't have to fear your court summons.

God will one day judge all His saints. Have you been faithful to the Lord? Have you glorified Him with your life? Make your "court appearance" a time that will glorify Him.

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