Glory in Judgment
Often believers can assume that God is only glorified when He shows mercy and grace towards His people. But God is also glorified as His holiness and justice are demonstrated when He judges sin.
In Psalm 83 the psalmist prays for God to bring judgment upon all those who would plot and seek to destroy His people (1-8). The enemies of God’s people make themselves His enemies (2). In their pride they plot to wipe out God’s “treasured ones” (2-4). Arrogantly, they believe that if they destroy Israel, they will have defeated God Himself (4-5). Brethren, we live in a world that hates Christ and hates His church (Jn 15:18). Christ, at His return, will rescue His people and judge the world (Luke 18:7-8).
The unbelieving world is hostile to God’s people (6-8). The psalmist petitions the Lord for His judgment upon all those who seek harm to His people (9-17). God has rescued His people before and destroyed His enemies (9-12). The psalmist asks God to “pursue them,” and “terrify them,” by His mighty power so that they will be “ashamed,” “dismayed,” and “humiliated” (14-15). Amid this judgement the psalmist prays that they may see God’s power displayed and understand their folly and repent. Brethren, not only are we to pray to God for vindication from the wicked, but we are to pray for them to see their folly, repent, and believe in Christ (Matt 5:44).
God will be glorified in His judgment of the ungodly. His judgment will prove to all that He is holy, and sovereign over all the nations and peoples of the earth. The entire world will acknowledge Him for who He is and for His mighty works on behalf of His people (18).