Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 82

A Psalm Concerning Governing Authorities

Psalm 82 – A Psalm Concerning Governing Authorities
Obama – Clinton – McCain – Juilanni – Edwards

We’re 20 months away from the 2008 election!

Troubled by the hatred in politics
Troubled by the injustice in our courts
Troubled by the laws under consideration (hate crimes legislation, homosexual marriage) Troubled by the Anti-Christian atmosphere in politics, education and business
Troubled by the materialism
Troubled that God’s people aren’t troubled!
ASAPH was troubled too! I. God’s Assignments

A. Psalm 82:1

1. Elohim – GOD
2. elohim – god
B. Psalm 75:6-8
C. God has given to us areas of judgment – SPHERES of GOVERNMENT
1. Self government
a. 2 Cor 13:5 “Examine yourselves”
b. 1 Cor 9:26-27 “I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight. . .”
2. Family Government
a. (Ephesians 6:1-2) " Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—"
b. (Ephesians 5:22) " Wives, submit to your husbands as to the
Lord."
c. 1 Sam 3:11-14 – ELI
3. Church Government
a. (Hebrews 13:17) "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would
be of no advantage to you."
b. 1 Cor 10:15 we are to judge the teaching of others
c. 1 Corinthians 5 – the church did not JUDGE! (esp 5:12)
4. Civil Government
a. Romans 13:1
b. 1 Tim 2:2 c. Titus 3:1
d. 1 Peter 2:13-14
e. Mat 22:21 “give to caesar. . .”
II. God’s Expectations. Psalm 82:2-6
A. To show Justice.
1. (Isaiah 5:20) "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
2. (Isaiah 10:1) "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,"
B. To care for the needy
1. This was the sin of Israel. Isa 1:15-17
2. Eze 34:2, 16 false shepherds
C. To help the weak
III. God’s Judgment. Psalm 82:7-8
A. On evil rulers.
B. On those who turn a blind eye to sin
C. On false shepherds
D. Justice will come when the One True Judge rules. (Revelation 19:11-16) " I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND Lord OF Lords."
E. I am the way, the TRUTH and the life!
IV. Why America is in the greatest danger she has ever known
A. Our righteous heritage has been scored
B. Our laws are based on human wisdom and not God’s Word
1. Divorce, child custody
2. Free speech – used to allow child pornography
3. Homosexuality and perversion protected and embraced
C. Our rulers govern to maintain power, not to do what is right
1. If you think President Bush is responsible for 9/11, global warming, winter snow storms, hurricane Katrina. . . close your ears!
2. Senators who argued for a troop surge – 6 weeks later, undermine the
President
3. People running for President are changing their positions to get more votes!
D. Our People are more concerned with personal comfort than doing what is right
E. We are ignorant of history, language, and current events
1. The popular news is biased.
2. The information is out there, but not on ABC, CBS, and NBC
3. People are too lazy, and too trusting of everything they hear! F. We have forsaken God
1. (Isaiah 1:4) "Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him."
2. (Isaiah 58:2) "For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and

seem eager for God to come near them."

3. Jeremiah 18:5-10 “any nation!”
V. What are the Righteous to do?

A. Faithfully carry out your God given responsibilities. Josh 24:15 “as for me and my house. . .”

1. Our lives
2. Our homes
3. Our church
B. Let God be God
C. Save some. (1 Corinthians 9:21-23) "To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."