GOD THE JUDGE OF THE EARTH
Opening Prayer
On this Sabbath, Father, I am so grateful for your Word that has enabled me to worship you in spirit and truth. Help me to worship in ways that are pleasing to you throughout the coming week.
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
Take a quick scan of some news headlines. What items in the news today challenge the idea of God being King and Judge of all the world?This psalm was written in several sections as the psalmist wrestled with what he knew about God and what he saw in the world around him. He knew that God was the powerful King and Judge of the earth (vv. 1–3)—so how could it be that evil flourished (vv. 4–7)? Even though evil people seemed to be able to do what they liked with God’s people, and with the weak and vulnerable in society, the psalmist warned them that God knew what they were doing and would hold them to account (vv. 8–15). But then the psalmist turned to fellow God-followers—it is not enough to sit back and wait for God to bring justice; we need to be actively working to deal with the injustice we see (v. 16). And finally, the psalmist described the security he found in God, despite all the evil and injustice he saw and experienced (vv. 17–23).
As you reflect on this psalm in the light of the world today, where are you in your thinking? Confused to see evil triumphing, confident that God will eventually bring justice, campaigning to make a difference, or content in God’s protection?
Apply
Where do you see similarities in today’s news headlines and this psalm. How is God challenging you to respond to the injustice you see?
Closing prayer
Mighty God, as I know it has in the past, I wait for your justice to prevail in our world today.
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