No Respecter of Persons

It has been often said of the current Coronavirus, “It is no respecter of persons”. Royalty, our Prime Minister, the rich and famous, have all been affected in just the same way as everyone else. We have all had to face our own mortality.

This is no bad thing, if it takes away the pride we have in our self-importance or social standing.

In our Psalm we find those who are acting unjustly in self-interest and pride, and with no thought of others, about to face the righteous judgment of God, who Himself is no respecter of persons.

‘God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. (Referring to earthly rulers) How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.’

What does God expect of them, and of us?

‘Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.’

These unjust rulers, who’ve held privileged position, hadn’t fulfilled their obligation to govern in a manner consistent with God‘s heart. Now the time has come for them to be brought low, to ‘die like men’ (for death is no respecter of persons) and to face their God in judgment.

‘I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.’

It’s easy for us to point our fingers at those who govern us, but that’s missing the point, for in disease, death or Divine judgment, there is no respect of persons.

Therefore, we must ask the question: how would we stand before God? We may feel good that we help the poor and care for the needy, but do we live up to God’s standard?

I think if we’re truthful, we’d have to say, we fall short (Roms 3:23), and therefore we will be found guilty on that day of judgment. But fear not …

If we recognise our need, our spiritual poverty, and turn to God, there is One who will defend and deliver us from judgment – God’s beloved Son (John 10:33-38), sent into the world as the Saviour, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:14-18).