A swell God

God presides in the heavenly council;
in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision:
‘You must stop judging unjustly;
you must no longer be partial to the wicked!
Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans;
be fair to the needy and the helpless.’
(verses 1-3)

Read Psalm 82

My mother is five foot nothing, a tiny woman, yet there was never any doubt that she could care for her family. If any of us children were hurt or afraid she would swell a mile high to protect us. Mind you, I had a healthy respect for her myself, yet I always knew she would be fair in her rulings over us kids.

‘God presides in the heavenly council; in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision.’ How much more does God ‘swell’ to protect those in his care. He defends the weak and poor. He rescues the needy. He judges those who are unjust. And he is completely, totally on the side of those who love him. How lucky you are to have such a protector!

And because he does these things for you, you are now enabled to do these things for those around you.

Keep me, Lord, in your protective care. Guide me in your ways, so that others may learn of you also. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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