Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Clouds and darkness mean that God's character, works, ways and dealings remain partly hidden in mystery beyond finite minds, while His throne and government rest upon righteousness, judgment and justice. Though He cannot be fully comprehended or searched out, as much as is for good to know is made plain, enough to discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power, and beyond that His power and loving heart are to be trusted. That throne is joined to the sanctuary, where His law is the rule of right by which all are tested and the mercy seat above the law shows Christ pleading His blood for sinners, so that God remains just while justifying the repentant sinner. He bears long with sinners in mercy, yet He abhors sin and will not acquit the impenitent wicked but will punish them in justice, while He is ready to pardon all who come in contrition and to protect, deliver and reward the faithful and righteous. The righteousness and judgment that dwell in His throne are reproduced in those who overcome, as trials cleanse them from selfishness and sin to reflect His image, and as His servants act justly, do duty faithfully, and refuse deceit, oppression and unrighteousness.
Clouds and Divine Mystery
Clouds and darkness around God mean His character, works, ways, judgments and dealings remain partly hidden and clothed in mystery beyond finite minds, while His throne and government rest on righteousness, judgment and justice. He cannot be fully comprehended or searched out, and finite intellect cannot fully grasp His character, works, judgments or ways, with obscurity surrounding Him. Yet as much of His purposes and motives as is for good to know is made plain, and His dealings can be understood far enough to discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. Beyond what is given to know, His omnipotent hand and loving heart, His power and love, are to be trusted.
The same truth answers the mysteries of Scripture, such as the entrance of sin, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration and the resurrection, which give no reason to doubt His word. Even the natural world is full of mysteries beyond human ken, where the difficulty lies only in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind. Mystery surrounds God because sin has brought woe and darkness and ruin, yet He sees the end from the beginning with past and future alike open before Him and looks beyond to the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing. That His throne rests on righteousness and judgment is a fact that all inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will one day understand.
Righteous Throne of Judgment
Righteousness and judgment, with justice and truth, are the habitation and foundation that establish the throne, and the rule and government resting upon it are grounded in righteousness. That foundation stands in contrast to all trust in witchcraft, for divine rule is not arbitrary power but right. Justice requires a sentence against sin, so the throne cannot acquit guilt by overlooking it.
The throne pictured is joined to the sanctuary in the heavenly temple, where the law is the rule of right by which all people are tested. Above the law, covering the ark that contains it, is the mercy seat, representing Christ pleading His blood for sinners. This is justice and mercy united in redemption, by which God can remain just while justifying the repentant sinner and restoring the fallen to His presence.
Long-suffering allows mercy time to plead with sinners, but it does not mean the wicked will be acquitted. God abhors sin and is strict in justice toward those who continue in impenitence. He will punish them with a final exercise of power and justice that ultimately brings judgment.
Yet that same righteous judgment accords with His protection and deliverance of His people. He is ready to pardon the sinner who comes to Him in contrition of soul. He will reward the faithful and righteous.
Reflected in Believers Lives
Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of God's throne, and that character is reproduced in those who overcome. God permits trials to cleanse from earthliness, selfishness and unchristlike character and to create a deep longing to be cleansed from every stain of sin. When selfish darkness is removed by seeing Jesus there is dying to self with change in word and action. Those who are patient under the crucial test come forth purer, holier and happier, reflecting the image of the Master in righteousness and judgment.
Because righteousness and truth belong at the foundation of God's rule, those who serve Him and act as His helpers must reflect those qualities in conduct. This means carrying out duty faithfully and acting justly. It means refusing deceit, oppression, selfishness and unrighteousness and refusing to support them.
Clouds and darkness surround the Lord, and in the same way darkness can surround the soul in the believer's experience. When the believer cries to the Lord that darkness is dispersed and peace and joy take its place. That deliverance brings pardoning love with peace, praise and thanksgiving. It brings knowledge of God's character and the expression of His attributes to the world.
Clouds and darkness mean that God's character, works, ways and dealings remain partly hidden in mystery beyond finite minds, while His throne and government rest upon righteousness, judgment and justice. Though He cannot be fully comprehended or searched out, as much as is for good to know is made plain, enough to discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power, and beyond that His power and loving heart are to be trusted. That throne is joined to the sanctuary, where His law is the rule of right by which all are tested and the mercy seat above the law shows Christ pleading His blood for sinners, so that God remains just while justifying the repentant sinner. He bears long with sinners in mercy, yet He abhors sin and will not acquit the impenitent wicked but will punish them in justice, while He is ready to pardon all who come in contrition and to protect, deliver and reward the faithful and righteous. The righteousness and judgment that dwell in His throne are reproduced in those who overcome, as trials cleanse them from selfishness and sin to reflect His image, and as His servants act justly, do duty faithfully, and refuse deceit, oppression and unrighteousness.
Clouds and Divine Mystery
Clouds and darkness around God mean His character, works, ways, judgments and dealings remain partly hidden and clothed in mystery beyond finite minds, while His throne and government rest on righteousness, judgment and justice. He cannot be fully comprehended or searched out, and finite intellect cannot fully grasp His character, works, judgments or ways, with obscurity surrounding Him. Yet as much of His purposes and motives as is for good to know is made plain, and His dealings can be understood far enough to discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. Beyond what is given to know, His omnipotent hand and loving heart, His power and love, are to be trusted.
The same truth answers the mysteries of Scripture, such as the entrance of sin, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration and the resurrection, which give no reason to doubt His word. Even the natural world is full of mysteries beyond human ken, where the difficulty lies only in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind. Mystery surrounds God because sin has brought woe and darkness and ruin, yet He sees the end from the beginning with past and future alike open before Him and looks beyond to the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing. That His throne rests on righteousness and judgment is a fact that all inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will one day understand.
Righteous Throne of Judgment
Righteousness and judgment, with justice and truth, are the habitation and foundation that establish the throne, and the rule and government resting upon it are grounded in righteousness. That foundation stands in contrast to all trust in witchcraft, for divine rule is not arbitrary power but right. Justice requires a sentence against sin, so the throne cannot acquit guilt by overlooking it.
The throne pictured is joined to the sanctuary in the heavenly temple, where the law is the rule of right by which all people are tested. Above the law, covering the ark that contains it, is the mercy seat, representing Christ pleading His blood for sinners. This is justice and mercy united in redemption, by which God can remain just while justifying the repentant sinner and restoring the fallen to His presence.
Long-suffering allows mercy time to plead with sinners, but it does not mean the wicked will be acquitted. God abhors sin and is strict in justice toward those who continue in impenitence. He will punish them with a final exercise of power and justice that ultimately brings judgment.
Yet that same righteous judgment accords with His protection and deliverance of His people. He is ready to pardon the sinner who comes to Him in contrition of soul. He will reward the faithful and righteous.
Reflected in Believers Lives
Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of God's throne, and that character is reproduced in those who overcome. God permits trials to cleanse from earthliness, selfishness and unchristlike character and to create a deep longing to be cleansed from every stain of sin. When selfish darkness is removed by seeing Jesus there is dying to self with change in word and action. Those who are patient under the crucial test come forth purer, holier and happier, reflecting the image of the Master in righteousness and judgment.
Because righteousness and truth belong at the foundation of God's rule, those who serve Him and act as His helpers must reflect those qualities in conduct. This means carrying out duty faithfully and acting justly. It means refusing deceit, oppression, selfishness and unrighteousness and refusing to support them.
Clouds and darkness surround the Lord, and in the same way darkness can surround the soul in the believer's experience. When the believer cries to the Lord that darkness is dispersed and peace and joy take its place. That deliverance brings pardoning love with peace, praise and thanksgiving. It brings knowledge of God's character and the expression of His attributes to the world.