GOD DOES NOT FORGET
Opening Prayer
I thank You, God, for Your protection when I feel vulnerable.
Read Psalm 94
Psalm 94
1 The Lord is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Remind yourself today, “God is on the throne.”Whatever the historical circumstance which produced this psalm, the struggles faced by the writer are made very clear – and they mainly come from fierce critics of his faith (5, 7). He doesn’t hold back in describing them, and their activities! They are variously proud, wicked, arrogant, senseless, foolish murderers (2–8). Evidently there is institutional opposition to the activities of God’s people, and the readers are feeling the pain of this. Confronting such opposition, the writer comforts his readers that God is still the Lord, and that the activities of these opponents are ultimately futile (11). God will have His way, even if for a time we live through costly trials (12–14).
Perhaps you feel at times that decisions taken by those who rule us do not reflect God’s standards or plans (20), but the psalmist is convinced that in such moments of uncertainty and even torment, God is faithful (18, 19). This is a solemn word to those who ignore God’s revealed will, especially if they legislate against it. It affirms renewed faith for those caught up in the middle of such opposition or persecution.
Apply
Do you know who your local leaders are? Find out today and commit to pray for them.
Closing prayer
Savior King, I pray for those who rule over me, for their responsibility to legislate justly and wisely.
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