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December 20, 2012
Day 45
Hand of Judgment
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Dear Praying Friend,
Our Lord's first coming brought salvation, but it also brought judgment - you can't have one without the other. How blessed we are that we can come before our righteous Judge and have Him look upon us with eyes of love as He takes our long list of wrongdoings and throws them out of court declaring our debt has been paid in full!
As we meditate on Psalm 130:3-4, we join the psalmist in the court room of the Lord after having just been tossed around in the depths of sin. (These two verses are very weighty as they deal with two heavy subjects: judgment and salvation; therefore, we will focus on judgment today and salvation tomorrow). His sin led him into a sea of torment, and now, the weight of the guilt brought him before his righteous Judge. Sometimes it takes a little buffeting of the waves to make us aware of how weak and unworthy we are. We can choose to stand before Him puffed up and proud, or fall at His feet humbled and broken. May we choose the latter, surrendering to His hand of judgment, so we can be embraced by the nail scarred hands of the One who took the penalty for our sin.
"But who can endure the day of His coming?
Who can stand when He appears?
For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.
...I will come near to you for judgment.
I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers,
and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages,
who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive
aliens of justice but do not fear me,' says the LORD Almighty."
(Malachi 3:2, 5)
Dear Heavenly Father, how awesome You are. As the waves of opposition begin to hit us hard and the turbulence of the times drag us under, You, in Your Mighty power, control the raging sea with one hand, and, with the other, gently lift us to safety. We are in awe of Your power and majesty. It is no wonder that we come before You on our knees - truly, who can stand in Your presence. Who would dare boast of any power or strength? We stand before You dripping of our guilt and shame and longing for You to warm us with the breath of Your presence. You came to save us, Lord; but Your judgment is necessary. Lord, You say it is time for judgment to begin with Your family. Surely the day is coming - it will burn like a furnace. Father, have mercy upon us, we are on our knees before You. Judge us in Your righteousness and justice. Make us holy - cleanse us by washing us with the water through Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: 1 Samuel 6:20; Ezra 9:15; Psalm 76:7; 89:14; 143:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 4:17a. | 
