424. Wednesday after Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.
Psalm 7, 11-17. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
❦
Justice to all without respect of persons is the highest virtue of a judge. Now, the highest perfection of justice is found in God. None can be compared with him in the strict justice with which he rewards every man according to his works. This truth does not contradict that other truth, which we learn everywhere, that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of grace, in which forgiveness rules, and saves sinners deserving of death. For he who truly knows his sin is covered by the merit of Christ, and is as righteous as is Christ himself. It was the good pleasure, and therefore the righteous decree of God’s will, that Christ was to stand in the place of all, and that he who believes and is baptized shall be one with him; thus making our sin the sin of Christ, and the obedience of Christ our obedience. Now, as the justice of God is absolute, the only begotten Son must needs suffer in full the punishment which the world has deserved; there was no abatement whatever. Neither shall even the smallest part of the debt be forgiven, but payment in full be demanded of everyone who is not in Christ. The just punishment of all his sins shall be visited on him. Often the retribution begins here, in order that the sinner may be awakened to penitence; but if he continue in sin, a terrible sentence of wrath shall be executed on him in the world to come. The sword of God is whetted, his bow is bent; he has ordained his arrows against the persecutors, and none can escape. No matter how cunning the wicked may be, God shall find him, and visit just punishment upon him. Patience may spare him for a long time; but justice is close at hand, and appears on the scene at last with its shining shield and sharp sword. Do not doubt that a day is coming when all things shall be revealed, and when everyone, without respect of persons, shall receive according to that which he has done. The justice of God is as exalted and sure, as are his omnipotence and love; and equally with these it underlies everything which he has done from everlasting.
Thou art he who trieth the heart and reins, righteous God. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Amen.*
When the judge his seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.
What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?
King of majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!
[TLH 607, ELH 537; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.