---

Quick Return Home Page

"Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee and let Thy judgments help me." [Psalm 119: 175].

"Righteous art Thou, O Lord, when I plead with Thee: let me talk with Thee of judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy to deal very treacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. But Thou, O Lord, knowest me: Thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward Thee. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? The beasts are consumed, and the birds, because they said, He shall not see our last end. If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedest, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" [Jeremiah 12:1-5].

      Jeremiah was facing some difficult considerations, and ready to sit down and have a heart to heart discussion with the Lord. Only God could answer some of these cogitations within him. And so he begins, "Lord, I know that You are righteous." No problems there, it was well understood. And while he would plead with God, have a serious time of probing, it was undergirded with the knowledge that everything God did was "just right." But he was ready to talk with the Lord for a while on JUDGMENTS. This judgment process seemed to be a hard thing to grapple with. And so he begins...
 
"Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?" This was not a questioning peculiar to Jeremiah alone, for the Psalmist also had some heavy thoughts on this, saying, "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Furthermore, he states, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." [Psalm 73:2-3, 13-14].
 
     Now, really, Lord, don't You think we ought to sit down and talk about Your judgments? Something appears to be all mixed up here. While the wicked are prospering, and seem to be happy in their evil ways, I end up being chastened every morning. Disciplined again and again! Looks like there is a real mix-up in the dispensing of the judgments.
     IN FACT, "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; then understood I their end." One must needs get alone, to the separated place― separated from all the reasonings and workings of the carnal mind, to receive divine revelation on what God is really doing. If man tries to figure out in himself, why the wicked are prospering, while he tries to serve God to the best of his ability and gets chastened every day― this just doesn't add up, for natural reasoning. But to draw aside and wait on the Lord, to yield to Him and have Him lift your thoughts to the higher dimensions, then understanding comes, a knowledge that "the end is not yet." When God has finished His inworkings, there will be grace and glory for the believer, and there is future purgings for the unbeliever. They have not escaped His judgments; their appointed day will also come. Thus we can say, "It is good for me to draw near to God (now): I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works." [Psalm 73:16-17, 28].
     Along with observing the present prosperity of the wicked, Jeremiah goes on, with a realization that goes beyond the normal viewpoint of Christendom. "THOU hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit. Now we know that He is planting the righteous. Blessed is the man whose "delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." [Psalm 1:2-3]. This all seems so right and proper, for God to plant and bless the righteous. But what about this planting and causing the wicked to prosper?
     Jesus clearly taught, Matthew 5:45, "HE maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." He knows full well how the wicked will react to this sun and rain, that it will actually help the weeds to grow, the thorns and briers to produce after their own kind. Yet He still sends forth the sunshine and the rain, because HE planted them, and arranged for them to take root and grow and do their thing. But He also hath appointed a day, when that which "beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; WHOSE END IS TO BE BURNED." [Hebrews 6:8].
     Be it noted, however, that this BURNING is not the end of God's plan for man, it only means the end of the rebellion and waywardness. There is a burning that is reserved for all thorns and briers, and for all the earth that produced such, but THE FIRE IS FOR CLEANSING, purging, and "afterwards" it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness, for them who are exercised thereby. The very fact that there is "AN END" speaks of HOPE for the earth, yea, for these earthen vessels. It means we will cease to continue to multiply our thorns and briers, our rebellion and waywardness. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil; to give you an expected end..." [Jeremiah 29:11]. Literally, that last phrase should read, from the Hebrew text, "to give you an end, AND AN EXPECTAION..." Ending all the path of degeneration then giving an expectation of His righteousness, to become partakers of His life.
     In the parable which Jesus gave, of the prodigal son, (Luke 15:11-32), we note that it was THE FATHER that gave to the younger son a liberal portion of his goods. The son went and wasted his substance with riotous living. We would call your attention to the fact that it was the father who underwrote the cost of that riotous living― he subsidized that wicked lifestyle. The father knew full well that if he divided his goods, what was in the young man's heart, and what the young man would do with it. Yet in love he gave it anyway, and waited for the day it would bring the young man to the end of himself. When finally, at the end of his resources, and in dire need, so that he took on the job of feeding pigs, he turned again towards father and home. There was no condemnation in the father for the way the son had spent the money, blown it all in riotous living. He simply extended his arms of love, and said, "It is meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." [Luke 15:32].
     Full well God knew that when He subjected creation to the "bondage of corruption," and to the vanity of this present earth realm, that we would turn every man to his own way. Still He blesses us, sends the rain and the sun, and causes the wicked to prosper until they have fulfilled their part of His purpose, in this tremendous interplay of good and evil. And while some would like to pull up the tares early, He says, "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn." [Matthew 13:29-30].
     The parable is of the nation of Israel, but the principle is very clear, when God sent Jeremiah "down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear My words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, SO ARE YE IN MY HAND, O house of Israel." [Jeremiah 18:2-6].
     The vessel was marred in the hand of the potter. The potter took full responsibility for the vessel. There was no devil standing by his side who received credit for marring the vessel, and for frustrating what the potter was doing. For the enemy at no time frustrates God. God is neither hindered nor interrupted in what He is doing. "For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" [Isaiah 14:27]. For it was in Divine Purpose that "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men." [Psalm 90:3]. As God controls both the TURNING TO DESTRUCTION, going into self-will and carnality, and then THE RETURN when He makes again, of this lump of clay, a new vessel which redounds to His praise.
     God acknowledges full responsibility for sending the rain on the just and the unjust, and giving His sunshine on them both. God has total control over planting the heathen, and causing them to take root, and bear fruit after their kind. And God has full responsibility― yea, plan and purpose, to ultimately purge the earth, and to "MAKE ALL THINGS NEW." [Revelation 21:6]. And through it all HE shall be glorified, and His name shall be praised. Not in the middle of this processing do we comprehend the very magnitude of His purpose. But there shall come a day when "ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God." [Ezekiel 14:23]. The process is GOD'S all the way!
     Not only did Jeremiah observe that the wicked were dealing very treacherously, but, he went on to state, "Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins." [Jeremiah 12:2].
     This, again, Jesus also declared, "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." [Matthew 15:8-9].
     IN VAIN― from the Greek word "maten" meaning: to no purpose, useless, unprofitable. From a root word which gives "the idea of tentative manipulation, but resulting in an unsuccessful search." They would give the appearance of worshipping God, but the only reason was hoping that they might manipulate God to their own ends. They would serve God, if so be that He would bless them. Not because they love Him. Not because they desire to be righteous as He is righteous. Their heart was far from Him, for they were still filled with their own ways, and not yet to the end of themselves.
     Titus 1:16, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him." Deny― literally, to contradict, disown, refuse, reject. While they had the profession on their lips, every action was a contradiction to what they were saying. They were living out a life of SELF.
     All this, Jeremiah rehearsed before the Lord. The vanity of man, the religious masquerade which covered a heart that was far from Him. Then Jeremiah turned the attention to himself, Lord, You "knowest me: Thou hast seen me, and tried my heart toward Thee..." Surely I have been fully exposed to Thee, tested, tried, processed by Thee. Lord, it is time we started talking about Your judgments. I need some understanding on this!
     Ah, let us be reminded again of 1 Peter 4:17, "The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: ―FIRST AT US...." Slow but sure, Jeremiah also was learning that judgment begins, not with the ungodly, with the wicked who have been planted, and caused to take root and flourish, but it begins with GOD'S VERY OWN PEOPLE.
     So long Christendom entertained the idea that every time there was a severe flood, afire, an earthquake, or some other natural disaster, this was evidence that God was directing His judgments toward the wicked in some horrifying punishment. Certainly God has included HIS JUDGMENTS IN ALL OF HIS WAYS, and they are a part of all the interplay of good and evil, as He continually deals with mankind, girding up and bringing forth righteousness. And certain1y He can use all these things (even natural disasters) in our lives as a part of HIS correctional process. But not until He has caused His judgments to rest for a light, will the world begin to learn righteousness. Therefore, we perceive that the keen edge of His judgments are not first directed toward the world, but towards HIS ELECT― to begin at THE HOUSE OF GOD. It is to be "FIRST AT US," whom He would chasten every morning, while the wicked continue to go their own way. He would have a purified FIRST FRUITS through whom He might reveal His righteousness and glory. And then shall He proceed to deal with the rest of mankind, "every man in his own order." [1 Corinthians 15:23].
     The judgment― the degree― the criterion― is set forth first for His own, and they are to pass through the processings until they align to His way. We accept this, we submit to it, and then, in due time, the rest of the verse will be fulfilled, "And if it begin FIRST AT US, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" [1 Peter 4:17].
     The severer purging to come, the nations brought before Him and Judged, and the tremendous happenings which shall turn the ungodly into saints, that shall unfold in due time. His vessels of mercy will have been fully prepared to balance that operation, and it shall all redound to His glory and praise.
     Jeremiah had it all figured out― he would talk to God about His judgments. Lord, You've known me, You've seen me, You've tried my heart. Okay, so it has begun first with me, now, let's get on with it and deal with the ungodly. In fact, I have it all figured out what we shall do, "pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter." [Jeremiah 12:3]. Wipe them out, Lord, just wipe them out!
     Often the silences of God are just as meaningful as when He speaks. And it is to be noted that God did not answer Jeremiah concerning this proposal to just take them all out to the slaughter. It is true, throughout the natural history of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament God often instructed them to wipe out a certain segment of people, men, women, and children; and to leave not a one. Because HE knew when their cup of iniquity was brought to the full. And HE remains ever in total control of every situation. But it is not for man to set the timetable for the destruction of the wicked.
     Might we also point out that God has been working deep into the heart of His elect, another prayer, "0 Lord...in wrath remember mercy." [Habakkuk 3:2]. "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother." [1 John 3: 11-12]. NOT AS CAIN― not with murderous thoughts, but with HIS NATURE OF LOVE, love that covers a multitude of sin. Filled with Divine love, which beseeches, "be ye reconciled to God." [2 Corinthians 5:20]. Such love does not impute their trespasses unto them, but ever seeks for that reconciliation, and restoration into righteousness, and into the fulness of His life.
     But Jeremiah is not finished with his arguments yet, but continued, "How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds;..." [Jeremiah 12:4].
     Isaiah said it also, "The earth mourneth and fadeth away... the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." [Isaiah 24:4-5].
     Moffatt reads, "The earth has been polluted..." You would think that this was a passage lifted out of today's newspaper. Pollution is a very heavy problem of this day― poisons in the earth, water pollutions, air pollutions, acid rain; for the  wickedness of man, in his greed and self-centeredness, has brought about horrendous conditions.
     Lord, let's talk about Your judgments! Surely "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." [Romans 8:22]. Such groaning, sighing, under the load of pollution and iniquity that is upon it.
     And then, Lord, to climax all of this, is their sneering boast, "They said, he shall not see our last end." In other words, Jeremiah realized that the wicked were bragging that he, who betimes had spoken the Word of the Lord to them, and prophesied of their end, would not live to see his prophetic predictions come to pass, because they had murder in their own hearts, and would soon do him in. So wrapped up were the wicked in their own ungodliness, that they mocked Jeremiah, and plotted to do away with him.
     So how did God answer all this complaint of Jeremiah's? What was God's word to the prophet who was so weary of the wicked, he was ready to have them all slaughtered? This is God's immediate word to Jeremiah――
     "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with the horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedest, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" [Jeremiah 12:5].
     Jeremiah, if all of this is getting you down now, what I are you going to do when it gets worse? God didn't say He was immediately ready to wipe out the wicked. God indicated that things were going to become much worse, before there would be a turning point, and the wicked would be brought into their judgment. Don't let the marching of the footmen weary thee, prepare for the day when you contend with the horses.
     Praise God, there is a realm of fortification and strength in the Spirit, till, as with Elijah, so with His elect, we shall outrun the horses. Elijah sent word to Ahab, "Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. ―And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." [1 Kings 18:44-46].
     In the times of peace, with all its problems because of the wickedness of man, the inflation and deflation, the turmoil and pressure, if this becomes too much for you, what will you do when the real warfare breaks out?
     We note that this phrase, "the swelling of Jordan," is very symbolic, and is used again in Jeremiah 49:19, "Come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan," as it becomes a striking symbol of an invading army. When the river would overflow its banks during flood time, all the wild beasts that lived near the water would then rise up and move out of the area― spreading as an invading army into the villages and plains which were beyond. There is an invasion, a warfare on the horizon which staggers the imagination of man.
     Yet again, praise God, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." [Isaiah 59:19]. He did not say that the enemy would not come in, but HE PROMISED A STANDARD TO BE RAISED UP WHICH WOULD COUNTER-BALANCE ALL SUCH WAR FARE. There are those who shall be equipped to STAND in the evil day. The Lord is their shield, their fortress, their high tower. Though "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation." [Psalm 91:7-9].
     The Hebrew word translated as "judgment" is "mishpat" and literally means: a decision, a verdict, a sentence or formal decree. It includes― the act, the place, the crime, and the penalty needed to bring correction. Thus, the establishment of LAW giving guidance for the way of righteous living, doing, being.
     "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." [Romans 5:13]. "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." [James 4:17]. "For sin is the transgression of the law." [1 John 3:4].
     Yet God has also promised, "I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people." [Hebrews 8:10].
     When God SPEAKS HIS LAW into our hearts, that is a judgment, that is a verdict, that is a decree of His will for us. If we render obedience to this law, we do not need a correctional chastening to bring us in harmony with it. Only when we are disobedient do we need that readjustment. Yet, in a very real sense, the very utterance of His Word to us is a judgment, and if there be any thing within us which cannot harmonize with that Word, then must the next phase of judgment come into action. One does not, correct that which is already in alignment, only that which is out of course.
     Paul wrote how that "the nations, which have not the law; do by nature the things contained in the law; these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." [Romans 2:14-16].
     Certainly the Judge of all men shall do right! And HE who knows what is in the hearts of men, shall render a just sentence accordingly. And Jesus also spoke of these things, "That servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit many things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." [Luke 12:47-48].
     Thus, it is when HE PLACES HIS LAW IN US, and we know that law, we are to be held accountable for living it out to His praise. Having thoroughly processed us to become one with His will, we shall DO IT, because it will be HIS LIFE LIVED THROUGH US. Therefore, the placing of His law within, is in itself a judgment― a decree, though it need not a further action, because of perfect obedience to it. A judgment carried out needs no further action. But a judgment spoken, and not obeyed, requires correctional chastening until its requirements are fulfilled.
     "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." [Romans 10:4]. He is the END― not the cessation, but the very PERFECTION, the GOAL, the FULFILLMENT, the RESULT, the UTTERMOST. Wonderful to know that He does not cause the law to cease, but to be brought to its absolute completion in us― a judgment fulfilled.
     "Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight, saith the Lord." [Jeremiah 9:24].
     Note the beautiful sequence. Lovingkindness comes first, for God surely commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Then the judgment― the way is laid out, and fulfilled, and thus righteousness is produced.
     "His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever." [Isaiah 9:7].
     ESTABLISHED WITH JUDGMENT― this word "established" from the Hebrew "saad," and is also translated as: comfort, establish, hold up, strengthen. There is a real sense in which His judgments COMFORT, because they make plain the way wherein we should go, and they gird us up to walk in that way.
     When God establishes His kingdom, He will so nourish it with the impartation of spirit and life, that the giving forth of His judgments will bring immense comfort to mankind. There is a marvellous consolation in knowing the right way and being able to walk therein. It takes away the anxiety which comes from trying to decide "is this the right way, or the wrong way?" For His verdict shall be clear, and He shall strengthen His kingdom with a pure law.
     There is tremendous MERCY revealed when God imparts His judgments, to give the way, and to teach us to walk therein. Thus, "Judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it." [Psalm 94:15]. There is A WAY OF RETURN into righteousness. And when He "sayest, Return, ye children of men," [Psalm 90:3], He purposed to execute His judgments to provide that way."
     Discipline without instruction is brutality, it is the way  of evil men. To pronounce one guilty of a crime, without any instruction on what that crime is, is a total travesty of justice. But HE shall set forth the way, and then gird up man to walk in that way. Thus His kingdom shall be established, and become totally victorious, enduring for all ages. Without the imparting of strength, and the various processes which cause us to become strong, there can be no establishing, but He does all of this via His judgments.
     "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness." [Isaiah 1:27]. Redeemed― from the Hebrew "padah" meaning: TO BE FREED, delivered, and comes from the root "to sever," thus giving a release. Once Zion is redeemed with judgment, she can be of help and strength to the next order to be processed. To comfort others with the same comfort wherewith she has been comforted.
     "Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; and LET THY JUDGMENTS HELP ME. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments." [Psalm 119:175-176].
     "Let Thy judgments HELP me....." To HELP― to assist another to come to complete fulfillment. It bespeaks a response to a known or expressed need. And comes from the Hebrew word "azar" which is from a root: to surround, i.e. to protect, or aid. When His judgments surround us, they become our protection, and our aid. They will surely help to bring us to completion in Him, where we shall be filled with all His divine fulness, to His glory and praise.
     "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." [Isaiah 41:10].
     He who is the Mighty One, the HELPER, is also the One who said, "For judgment am I come into this world." For He would aid us, protect us, yes, comfort and strengthen us, until we are brought into the totality of our redemption. He does it through His judgments. Marvellous are all His ways!

 
 
Lord, let me speak of Your judgments,
For some things seem gone so awry,
The wicked around me do prosper,
It's hard not to ask of Thee, "Why?"
 
You've planted them and they do flourish,
Your sun and Your rain make them grow,
Earth suffers beneath their pollution,
The beast and the bird know it so.
 
Yet You have known me and tried me,
Your chast'nings and purgings are deep,
Lest I would wander in self-hood,
Your rod of correction doth keep.
 
O judgment of God that's beginning
With those who are called by Thy name,
Yet first fruits shall be to Thy glory,
In whom is no fault and no blame.
 
Lord, let me speak of Your judgments―
Unsearchable mystery of love,
Excellent are Your inworkings,
With mercy and grace from above.
 
Your judgment― a verdict, a law
To write in the heart and the mind,
A nature that's truly all-righteous,
A people You've birthed of Your kind.
 
Every man in his own order,
Until all creation's restored.
Ages fulfilling Your purpose,
Corrections bring blessed accord.
 
Yes, judgments do help to bring comfort,
To strengthen and nourish the soul,
Protection and vict'ry providing,
Until every creature's made whole.
 
O God of the judgments now helping,
We bow to give worship and praise,
To Thee be all glory and honour,
Our Life, and the Strength of our days.
 

^{__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris. WHISPERS OF HIS JUDGMENTS. (now out of print), Boise, Idaho 83705}

---

Back to Top of Page  Back to Whispers Of His Judgments Exit to Introduction Menu  Back to Library  List
  Back to Prinzing Book List  Back to All Things Menu  Back to Reconciliation