Standing In The Judgment

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which was written completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:5–6, ESV)

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement…

Heavenly Father, it is difficult to think about the day of judgement. It is so easy to get caught up in the here and now—the struggles of this present moment—and forget that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV). Help me keep this judgement before my eyes as I live each day. Help me not to “presume on the riches of [your] kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that [your] kindness is meant to lead [me] to repentance” (Romans 2:4, ESV). 

Yet, Father, I also thank you I have confidence I will stand in the judgement. I will not stand firm in my own strength and ability, but I will stand firm through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. They are my only hope. Because of your Son’s death and resurrection, I can have confidence that I will stand firm on judgement day. I have nothing to fear because all my sins have been washed away and all of Christ’s righteousness has been given to me. 

So, I thank you for this confidence. Apart from this confidence in Christ, I would be afraid. I would need to fear this coming judgment, knowing that I could not stand firm in my own strength and righteousness—because I have none. 

…nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous…

Father, it is an incredible promise that we will one day join in the congregation of the righteous. When we die and join with all the saints from all times and places, it will be a glorious family reunion. I thank you for drawing me into this family through Jesus Christ. I thank you that you didn’t save me and leave me alone, but brought me into a congregation of the righteous—not righteous on their own, but righteous through Jesus Christ. 

Yet, Father, not everyone has the joy of this experience. Those who have not received the forgiveness of your Son, His righteousness and adoption, will not stand with this congregation in heaven. They will not experience the joy of this family reunion. So, Father, please open their eyes to your truth and salvation. Father, please draw them to yourself and change their hearts so they turn to you in faith and can stand with the rest of God’s people for all eternity. 

…for the LORD knows the way of the righteous…

Father, what a joy it is that you “know” the way of your people. It is a consolation that you are looking down upon our lives. It is a comfort to know that “in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16, ESV). Thank you for keeping watch over me. Thank you for caring for me enough to my every step. 

Father, in these uncertain days, help me to more fully trust in this truth. Help me live each day with the confidence that you are watching over me. Help me live with courage and assurance that you have written every day of my life in your book and have prepared works in advance for me to walk in. Help me live each day resting in the salvation that you have brought me—trusting in Christ’s righteousness, not my own.

…but the way of the wicked will perish. 

Father, you have promised: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV). It is a great comfort to know that the work we do in your name is not in vain—it will not perish. Help remind me of this each day. Help firm me up to stand—steadfast and immovable like a tree—always abounding in your work, trusting that it is never in vain and will never return unproductive. Help me not to become lazy and slothful, but to continue abounding in your work in ways that further your kingdom and your glory. 

Father, I also pray for those who have no hope. This is a frightening reality, that even “the way” of the wicked will perish—their labor will be in vain, pointless. Father, help them see this reality and use it to open their eyes to the hope and comfort you bring. Help them not to waste their life, but to find purpose and meaning and hope in you.