HOW LONG, O LORD?
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.
Meditate
‘… what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’1
Think Further
This psalm begins with a cry against injustice, with the words of lament ‘How long, Lord?’ echoing through the opening cries (v. 3). It isn’t just social injustice that the psalmist rails against, but the sense that the oppressors are encroaching on God’s territory by harming God’s people (v. 5). To consider the plight of the oppressed as God’s domain reminds us of God’s priority and heart for the poor. There is encouragement here to be honest before God, sharing our burdens,
frustrations, and desperation with him. His heart is bent toward the dispossessed and he shares our burden for their plight.
This psalm is set in a series under the heading ‘The Lord reigns.’ It articulates a sense of God ruling, reigning, and redeeming his people in a world of injustice. There is a shift in the second half of the psalm, from real, honest lament at the pain of oppression to a confidence in God’s nature not to reject his people (v. 14). Such confidence in God’s ability is based on his action to redeem and save in the past (v. 17). This gives the psalmist confidence that God will pull through and
deliver again. Whatever corrupt or evil-minded people do to us or to others, we can find shelter and security in the Lord, our stronghold and refuge (v. 22). From this secure place, we can stand firm against injustice. Corruption and pain may prosper now, but a day is comingwhen the Lord will vindicate his faithful people.
We may be crying out for justice to come in other people’s lives, or we may be in the struggle ourselves, crying out in desperation for help. Either way, the Lord will not forsake his people. His loving nature will prevail (vv. 14, 15).
Apply
Ask to know God’s will and to know his prompting to act in accordance with it, in your life and for the benefit of others.
Closing prayer
Mighty God, thank you that your faithfulness has been proven over and over again—in Scripture, in history, and in my own life. Forgive me for those times when I’ve forgotten; help me to trust you always.
1 Mic 6:8
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.