Today in the Word Devotional

Establishing Righteous Justice


Listen Later

In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece The Brothers Karamazov, the court judgments lack any moral guidance. Dmitri Fyodorovich’s defense attorney defends him to advance his own career, even though he believes Dmitri is guilty. The prosecutor Ippolit Kirillovich seeks to appease the listening crowd at the trial. His last words appeal for the jurors to support Russia more than for them to seek truth: “Remember that you are the defenders of our truth, the defenders of holy Russia, of her foundations, of her family, of all that is holy in her!” Without a moral impulse in the courtroom, Dmitri is wrongly convicted of his father’s murder. King Jehoshaphat faced a choice: continue to pursue alliances that had no moral rationale or godly blessing or change his ways to honor the Lord. Thankfully, though Jehoshaphat had made some terrible decisions and barely escaped with his life, his heart was still set on seeking God (v. 3). Jehoshaphat’s acknowledgment of God’s mercy compelled him to call on Jerusalem to fear God. Wanting his own people to avoid wrath, he exhorted them to judge rightly, and he made provisions for adjudicating difficult cases (vv. 5–7). Notice the central motivation that Jehoshaphat urged his judges, priests, Levites, and tribal leaders to maintain: a fear of the Lord (vv. 7, 9). God’s holiness is the only standard for true justice, and He is always with us to know the inclinations of our hearts. Following God’s standard for justice requires courage (v. 11). Sometimes we must make formative and corrective judgments to promote godliness, Christlikeness, and discipleship. In order to judge wisely, we must have the fear of the Lord, knowledge of His Word, and courage to stand for Him even when it is challenging.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Today in the Word DevotionalBy Today In The Word

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

65 ratings


More shows like Today in the Word Devotional

View all
Insight for Living Daily Broadcast by Chuck Swindoll - Insight for Living

Insight for Living Daily Broadcast

3,081 Listeners

FamilyLife Today® by FamilyLife Podcast Network

FamilyLife Today®

1,698 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,744 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

3,021 Listeners

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

15,800 Listeners

In the Market with Janet Parshall by Moody Radio

In the Market with Janet Parshall

1,363 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,404 Listeners

The Land and the Book by Moody Radio

The Land and the Book

299 Listeners

Ask Pastor John by Desiring God

Ask Pastor John

3,902 Listeners

Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

Summit Life with J.D. Greear

1,292 Listeners

Pray the Word with David Platt by David Platt

Pray the Word with David Platt

1,393 Listeners

Solid Joys Daily Devotional by Desiring God

Solid Joys Daily Devotional

2,137 Listeners

Core Christianity by Adriel Sanchez

Core Christianity

558 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

35,258 Listeners

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women by Crossway

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women

73 Listeners