A Perfectly Righteous And Merciful God
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Kings 9-10 and Psalm 99 (NIV)
(Chu Qin Fang, ASGL Zone 4)
READ:
2 Kings 9-10 and Psalm 99 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In 2 Kings 9, Elisha instructs a prophet to anoint Jehu as the new king of Israel. With this God-given authority, Jehu stages a bloody coup. The downfall of Ahab’s house, as prophesied in 1 Kings 21, is meted out through Jehu and he is commended by God (2 Kings 10:30). However, Jehu’s self-proclaimed zeal for God (2 Kings 10:16) is in fact half-hearted – he tolerates pagan worship and eventually fails to keep all of God’s commands (2 Kings 10:29, 31). Under Jehu’s reign, the kingdom of Israel subsequently shrinks (2 Kings 10:32).
Psalm 99 sheds light on the reasons for the shake-ups in the house of Ahab and Jehu. Firstly, God rules sovereignly from above (Psalm 99:1), unlike human rulers that rise and fall. He works through human kings to achieve His purposes. Next, God is righteous (Psalm 99:4) and will not tolerate sin. In the context of 2 Kings 9-10, He punishes those who commit the sin of idolatry. Yet Psalm 99:8 also offers a promise of God’s forgiveness after He disciplines His people.
APPLY:
In my self-proclaimed zeal for God, am I half-hearted in my pursuit of Him? What idols do I secretly harbour in my heart?
Whenever I am tempted to trust in things aside from God, Psalm 99 reminds me that God is holy and all-powerful in His reign – things on earth cannot compare to Him and I should look to Him instead.
Amid a sinful world, justice may seem distant. However, Psalm 99 reminds me of God’s perfectly just and righteous character. He will establish righteousness in due course, as He eventually did in the house of Ahab.
At the same time, I may face earthly consequences for my sins. In the face of this, I have hope through Psalm 99 that God is forgiving and uses it to discipline me for my good.
DO:
I will examine my heart for subtle idolatry and repent. I will hope in God’s perfect justice and mercy. When justice eludes, I will trust that God is enthroned above and will do what is best. And when I am disciplined, I will trust that He does not hold it against me and still loves me.
PRAY:
Dear God,
Oftentimes, my lips may profess to love You but my heart may be far away. Help me to examine my heart for hidden idols and turn from them. God, You are mightily enthroned above and are perfectly just and merciful. Help me to trust in Your righteousness when justice seems far away, and help me to grow in Your righteousness when You discipline me for my good.
In Jesus name, Amen.
