Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.
1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods. 2How long will ye judge unjustly, And accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4Deliver the poor and needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5They know not, neither will they understand; They walk on in darkness: All the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6I have said, Ye are gods; And all of you are children of the most High. 7But ye shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes. 8Arise, O God, judge the earth: For thou shalt inherit all nations.
Ye are gods?
Psalm 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; And all of you are children of the most High.
This one is very confusing isn’t it?
You are gods?
I wish!
If I had the powers of a deity, then I assure you things would change.
I would have awakened to the sounds of the seashore just outside my window. I would have opened my eyes laying in a more comfortable bed and this coffee that I sip would taste a lot better!
If I were god, then I would change some things.
I would get rid of those politicians that aren’t working for the good of our country and replace them with ones that care.
If I were god, then I would make sure that those kids without daddies were cared for and loved.
If I were god, then I would stand up in defense of those that can’t speak for themselves, wouldn’t you?
If I were god, then a person that wanted to work would have a job and a place to live.
But alas, I am not a god, or am I?
What did the Lord mean when he said those words,“Ye are gods”?
He certainly didn’t mean that we were perfect, all knowing or that we have supernatural powers.
Notice the lower case “g”.
The “G” is reserved for the one with perfect knowledge and complete power.
I believe that he is talking to the leaders of the nation who were ruling in the place of God. They had power that he had given for them to use for the good of his people. The big “G” God delegated some of his power to his little “g” gods.
This is the way that Jesus taught this passage when he spoke to the leaders of his nation.
John 10:34–36
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
They were angry about our Lord’s claim that he was God the Son. Jesus was explaining that they themselves were called “gods” by God himself and that he certainly had a right to this title since he was the only begotten of the Father.
What we must understand is that any earthly power or authority is on loan from our Sovereign. Is that not what the Apostle Paul tells us about earthly leaders?
Romans 13:4 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
It was spoken specifically to leaders, but it is true in a sense of all that are God’s.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
You are gods, yes!
You are God’s representatives, acting on his behalf!
So, since you are gods, use what has given you to make those changes we know we need! Care for those kids. Stand up for the abused. Give to good causes. Quit complaining about what others are not doing as you sit still! How can we complain of wrong use of other’s authority and power when we are failing to use ours?
You are gods!
So, let’s use our voice, our votes, our influence and our testimony for good, because we are God’s!
7/14/20
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