PSALM 82 (LSB throughout unless otherwise noted)

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 God takes His stand in the congregation of God;

He judges in the midst of gods.

2 How long will you judge unrighteously

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

3 Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

Justify the afflicted and destitute.

4 Protect the poor and needy;

Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They do not know and do not understand;

They walk about in darkness;

All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,

And all of you are sons of the Most High.

7 “Nevertheless you will die like men

And you will fall like any one of the princes.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth!

For it is You who will inherit all the nations.

There is a backstory to everything. In Psalm 82, a cosmic curtain is pulled back providing a glimpse of an assembly of Yahweh’s divine council, in which He issues a judgment on the spiritual beings (i.e. gods, sons of God) for their corrupt rule of the nations. [The backstory for this includes God’s judgment after the Tower of Babel, when God distributed authority of the nations among His heavenly realm, referenced in Deuteronomy 32:8–9 (ESV):

8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,

when he divided mankind,

he fixed the borders of the peoples

according to the number of the sons of God.

9 But the LORD’s portion is his people,

Jacob his allotted heritage.]

In Psalm 82, note how the grounds for judgment are described as injustice for the marginalized and vulnerable. After God decrees that the judgment of the gods will be their own fall and death, the psalmist, Asaph, concludes with the prayer for God to arise and judge the earth—and take His possession of the nations.

The multiple occasions of the advent of God (rising up; arrival; “the day of Yahweh”) throughout the scriptural story include judgment in two ways: 1) condemnation for those set against His rule; 2) rescue for those who are His, who suffer under unrighteous rule. 

For example, consider these occasions in Old Testament history:

8th Century B.C. – Judgment of the Northern Kingdom Israel, but rescue for Judah

7th Century B.C. – Judgment of Assyria and also the Southern Kingdom Judah, but rescue for the remnant of Judah through exile

6th Century B.C. – Judgment of Babylon, but rescue for the remnant of Judah who return from exile

. . . The pattern continues and culminates in the advent of God in Christ, where all of these themes converge. Jesus Himself identifies Himself as the true Son of God in contrast with the corrupt sons of God, pointing to the evidence of His works of justice which stand in direct contrast to the grounds of injustice described in Psalm 82 (Luke 4:17–21; 7:20–23, 29; John 10:30–38).

Jesus answers the prayer of Ps 82:8a: “Arise, O God, judge the earth!”—He Himself says, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind” (John 9:39).

Jesus also answers the prayer of Ps 82:8b: “For it is you who will inherit all the nations.”—After He had risen, He staked His claim: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .” (Matthew 28:18b–19a).

In light of His Advent for the Ages, where does this leave us in this 2024 Season of Advent?—First, a word of warning—throughout the centuries, including in Jesus’ day, and certainly in our own, the religious people of God thought themselves in the right and all others in the wrong, but God’s judgment revealed that they too were among the unrighteous and unjust. So our first step is always our own repentance!

Then we continue to humbly pray: Rise up, O God! We seek His judgment even as the foundations of our world are still shaking with wars, oppression, and crushing injustice. But at the same time, we seek His rescue even as His kingdom increases over all the earth among all nations. Wherever the peoples experience His presence, they taste His goodness and justice. There is much more to come in the final advent of judgment and resurrection, but for now, we seek to “taste and see” . . . (Ps 34:8).

So in this Season of Advent, may we humble ourselves and pray: 1) Rise up, O God, for judgment and restoration, and 2) help us participate in your good works as the Righteous Ruler of heaven and earth.

My children have transitioned to new homes four times during their school years, including international and out-of-state moves. Along the way, a wise counselor alerted Kristin and me of how they might feel a loss of agency in the multiple transitions. While our children did not shoulder the responsibility of making the bigger decisions in leading our family, they could still play their part by making choices within their own spheres of responsibility—which toys to pack, activities to join, and many other ways to express their precious preferences throughout childhood. Agency refers to what was “their part.”

A regent represents a king, administering royal rule backed by royal authority. A regent’s agency, or regency, stems from the king’s authority and command. This understanding frames agency for the children of God—whose lives represent the King of Kings’ authority and redemptive work in the world. It’s a worldly agency that begins and ends with humans themselves. In the kingdom of God, we might call it our “re-agency” (regency + agency).

I got this idea of “re-agency” by reading about invisible ink. In order to make it visible, a re-agent must be applied. This coincided with my recent reading through the Old Testament book of Esther. God’s name does not appear in the story, yet Esther’s rise to royalty, her uncle Mordecai’s justice, and the rescue of God’s people from the adversary’s scheme reveal the power of God at work. In other words, the story reveals God’s invisible presence and redemptive power through the re-agency of His servants, who cry out and fast in the story followed by courageous action.

Our Father’s redemptive family consists of regents of our Shepherd King. May the safe pasture we keep for others stem from His care for us and our lives of thanksgiving, a visible testimony of our Lord’s presence and redemptive power—a “re-agency” that reveals hope for those stuck in their agency alone.

A Hebrew term for “corner” (kanaph) also means “wing,” and metaphorically conveys a sense of covering, care, and protection. In this sense, let’s consider these FOUR corners in the prayer of Psalm 4, which place us under the Father’s covering, like His wings, or even His tent:

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O Yahweh, make me to abide in safety (v 8, LSB).

Freedom – You have made room for me in my distress (v 1).

• Through various trials and temptations, the Holy Spirit helps us take our space that is self control, however small this sphere might appear. The phrase, “made room for me” is also translated as “relieved me,” signifying how suffering may continue, but His relief makes room for our breathing and being in the middle of it. This true freedom stands even in facing suffocating circumstances.
• In your own circumstances, what is within your control for wise practice?

Oneness – Yahweh has set apart the holy one for Himself (v 3).

• Conflicts of all kinds disconnect people, yet holiness sets us apart for belonging to the Father. This security steadies us from falling when shaking with anger or fear.
• What are some daily practices you can begin or continue that remind you of your belonging to the Lord?

Uprightness – Offer righteous sacrifices and trust in Yahweh (v 5).

• Obedience anchors us in the goodness of God like a tent stake pounded firmly into the ground. Unrighteousness—not being rightly related to God, self, and others—clamors for the attention of other gods and their false goodness.
• How do you practice goodness with others during your week?

Rest – In peace I will both lie down and sleep (v 8).

• Wholeheartedness precedes simultaneous laying down and sleeping . . . safely under the cover of Yahweh.
• What practices preceding sleep could help you go to bed with intention, as an act of trust?

As we consider our own practices, may we discern whether these FOUR corners extend to cover our whole household in the peace and protection of the Lord. Remember that His peace is different than the peace of this world (John 14:27). If we discover that our tent is compromised by a loose corner stake or two, we need not panic, but wisdom requires paying attention to our practices. The Body of Christ stands by to help—by continuing to gather together, may we encourage each other to keep all FOUR corners firmly pounded into holy ground (Hebrews 10:24–25).

The Coté family has relocated to Pennsylvania, and Mark is now Director of Safe Place Ministry, and Kristin the Administrative Director. Mark also serves on the pastoral staff at Hershey Church of the Nazarene. On October 22, 2023, Mark and Kristin shared Victoria’s story in the service leading up to today and the ministry of Victoria’s Fund now joined to their church in Hershey. The message (around 00:31:45) can be watched through this link.

On this second Sunday of Lent, the fourth Sunday of Black History Month, I (Mark) have been thinking about a man from North Africa, Simon of Cyrene. Simply “a passer-by coming from the country,” he found himself “pressed into service” by Roman soldiers, “to bear [Jesus’] cross.” (Mk 15:21) It seems that he did not sign up for it, volunteer for it, or ask for it. Rather it was forced upon him. While Jesus had previously called upon His followers to take up their crosses, for Simon, his cross was Jesus’ cross.

Thirteen years ago this morning, while sitting in a rocking chair by our front door in Millersville, PA, a knock at the door signaled that it was time for Kristin and me to leave for the hospital for Victoria Grace’s birth. Right before the knock, I came upon the words of Jesus that he spoke right before He would face His trial and crucifixion: “. . . the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here” (Jn 14:30–31).

We got up, and we followed Him. We did not sign-up, volunteer, or ask to bear that cross. But for thirteen years now, He has gone before us and with us, in the midst of our grief revealing His resurrection life and hope—His victory by His grace.

With all of Victoria’s friends and family near and far, with whatever crosses that we carry this day—burdens we did not sign up, volunteer, or ask for—may we view our crosses as Jesus’ cross. Like Simon, pressed upon us not by choice, let us “carry behind Jesus” (Lk 23:26) into His death and resurrection life. And so, “Get up, let us go from here.”

On October 25, 2020, I (Mark) preached a sermon focused on my spiritual journey, with the week of Victoria’s life serving as the backdrop, like a “Damascus Road” encounter that has changed me and my family ever since. We hope this is an encouragement to you!

https://dunelandchurch.org/media/have-you-met-pastor-mark-cote

Grace to you,
Mark & Kristin

WhatsApp Video 2020-04-09 at 83553 AM from Mark Cote on Vimeo.

On this leap day, during the 12th anniversary week of Victoria’s life on this earth, we would like to share our hope of belonging together in our Father’s family. Below is a reflection that currently opens chapter two of a book I (Mark) am currently writing, provisionally titled, God’s Victory by His Grace: A Story of Beauty, Brokenness, Belonging, and Blessing. Read More

“Think systems.” With this statement, Dr. David Cross challenged an auditorium full of child welfare workers in Lima, Peru. This core commitment of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (TCU) echoes an emphasis in Kids Alive International’s expanding model of care to deliver God’s whole love to children and families. Both KPICD and KAI have realized that influencing systems represents a significant contribution to lasting change in a child’s world. Read More

Child Protection represents a sacred trust in the Kingdom of God. At the Crossroads of the Kingdom, every single one of us must answer to the all-or-nothing blessing or curse that Jesus spoke over responses to a child:

“And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe . . .” (Matt 18:5–7). Read More