The Lord Is My…
Opening Prayer
Talk to the Lord about any unfairness you or someone close to you is facing. Tell him of your feelings about it.
Read Psalm 94:1-23
[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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the deep desire in the heart of the psalmist?Power–it has been famously pointed out–has a way of corrupting those who wield it. Sadly, when we are under the influence of the powerful, we can come in for some of the injustice they cause. It feels like we’re trapped. We start looking about for someone to rescue us. We don’t know who wrote Psalm 94 or the specific context of this song. But one thing is clear: the psalmist has grievances against the injustice of “the proud” and “the wicked” (2,3), who seem to behave with impunity as far as God is concerned (7). He has much to moan about on behalf of the defenseless. But his initial ranting and raving gradually settle down. He recognizes that God does know what’s going on (8-11), that he has neither forgotten nor neglected his people (12-15), and that he does provide support and help for those who need it (16-19). The wicked will not be successful forever. God will destroy them, rescuing “the righteous” and “the innocent” in the process (20-23).
Apply
How can the Lord become your fortress, the Rock in whom you take refuge (22)?
Closing prayer
Ask the Lord for rescue from the injustice you are facing and for patience as you wait for him to act.
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