Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:17(NLT), “I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.” We don’t often think about the reality that we will be judged for the things we do down here. When I didn’t know the Word as I know it now, I wondered about kids who don’t know You or how You desire them to live. What if their parents never taught them the difference between right and wrong? What if none of their friends or loved ones are saved, and they don’t know the way of Christ? What happens to them if they die before they learn these things; will hell be their eternal home? This was very puzzling to me.
One day recently, as I was pondering this, I thought about the virgin, Mary, and how young she was when she gave birth to Jesus Christ. She was no more than 14-years-old, yet, her heart was to please You, even at that young age. When the angel of the Lord told her that she would give birth to Jesus, and that he would be the Son of the Most High, Luke 1:34(NLT) says she asked, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” At this young age, she understood certain intricacies of the marital relationship, and she also understood that having a child without being impregnated by a man was an extraordinary thing.
Circumstances surrounding pregnancy were nothing like they are today. Mary’s life could have been in deep trouble if it was believed that she was having a baby outside of marriage. No doubt she understood this, yet in Luke 1:38(NLT), she responded to the angel by telling him, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” This is evidence of Mary’s knowledge and unwavering faith in God. I now understand, Heavenly Father, that we are held responsible for our own actions when we are mature enough to know right from wrong. That’s when we are accountable for our deeds, and the record of them will be held to our account on judgement day.
Heavenly Father, the truth is that some people don’t know Your Word simply because they are not interested in knowing it. That is hard to believe, but people have a choice. Even when they are as young as Mary when she became pregnant with Jesus, anyone can find out more about You if they desire to do so. The Word is easily accessible through the internet and many other resources. You said in Hosea 4:6(NKJV), “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Many people do not know better because they have chosen not to know. They have rejected knowledge of You and Your Word, and they will be judged for their refusal to seek the light of Christ.
You have a plan and it is perfect. You are a Righteous Judge. You are good all the time, and all the time You are good. I don’t have to worry about what happens to children that haven’t learned about Christ, or those who do not know right from wrong. You are a loving and just God, and Your plan takes care of all such matters. I’m just so glad that I know You through Your Word, and that You saved me through the Lord Jesus Christ. I was born in a place where education is available to all who want it, and I thank You for this grace, Heavenly Father. For those that do not have this privilege, I thank You for making a way for them to learn to read, write, and comprehend knowledge. I pray they will do so in a way that will prepare them to have access and understand Your Word.
Thank You, Holy and Glorious Heavenly Father for helping us to be a blessing to Your Kingdom. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“You Are A Righteous Judge”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.