Psalm 82 — In The Great Assembly — Aneel Aranha

God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

The psalmist Asaph depicts a scene of God presiding over a divine council, where he renders judgment among the "gods." These "gods" —small g— represent "leaders" on earth. They are rulers, judges, priests, pastors, and other people in positions of authority entrusted with upholding justice and righteousness. 

God rebukes these earthly authorities for failing to act justly and defend the weak and vulnerable. "They know nothing, they understand nothing," the psalmist declares. "They walk about in darkness." He then declares their fate. "You will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler," he says before ending with a warning about the day when the true God would judge them.

Do we look after the weak and helpless? Do we serve the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned? In a chilling parable that Jesus told, he warned of the fate that would meet those who didn't care about the marginalized and oppressed. Let us not be counted among them.

Let us be a people who strive for justice, showing compassion, love, and mercy to the oppressed. Let us advocate for change, using our voices, resources, and influence to make a difference in the lives of those in need. In doing so, we will become the heart of God to a broken world and help to heal it and make it whole.

God bless you.