Psalm 94
Today's Passage: Psalm 94
It’s easy to give in to the discouragement of seeing wicked people prosper—people who seem to flaunt their rebellion. As followers of Christ, we aim to “walk in a manner worthy†of the Gospel that saves us. Yet, how often do we see people living lavishly with no regard to God’s demands on their lives. If we’re not careful, we can see the smiles of the rich, famous, and powerful and think we’re seeing joy. We wonder at their circumstances compared to our own and feel as if we may be missing out on something. Or at least, question whether our obedience really matters. After all, the Lord isn’t repaying them for their disobedience… or so it seems.
Psalm 94 begins with a prayer for vengeance. The Psalmist sees wickedness and calls to the Lord to intervene. In their arrogance, the wicked say that the Lord “does not see…perceive.†The psalmist knows better. He tells them to “understand,†after all, “the Lord knows the thoughts of man, they are but breath.â€
We must not fall into the trap of the wicked. We must not assume that the Lord’s timing means weakness or a lack of care. In fact, the psalmist points out how blessed is a person “whom you discipline.†It is better to receive discipline from the Lord in order to have “rest in the day of trouble,†than to go undisciplined and fall into the “pit dug for the wicked.†Just like with earthly fathers, discipline brings a little pain to spare a much greater pain (Hebrews 12:11).
Verses 16–23 regard the Lord as the psalmist’s help in time of need. Are we walking with the Lord in the same way?
God does not give a road map on life to tell us what we might expect at every turn in order to navigate our lives ourselves. God does not play into our self-sufficiency where we say, “Show me the road ahead so I can get there myself.†Instead, he offers a relationship and turn by turn directions as he travels with us through each turn. Like the wicked, our flesh desires self-sufficiency even as we ask the Lord to bless our journey. Then, we arrogantly mistake blessing as that which the wicked possess—money, respect, gratification, etc.
Instead, blessing may look like having only what is necessary to cover your needs. It may be marked by struggle and trials. After all, ease isn’t always from the Lord and difficulty isn’t always from Satan. We must not begrudge the Lord’s discipline but trust his steadfast love. We must remember that although sin may bring pleasure temporarily, but obedience brings joy eternally.
Written By: Tyler Short
It’s easy to give in to the discouragement of seeing wicked people prosper—people who seem to flaunt their rebellion. As followers of Christ, we aim to “walk in a manner worthy†of the Gospel that saves us. Yet, how often do we see people living lavishly with no regard to God’s demands on their lives. If we’re not careful, we can see the smiles of the rich, famous, and powerful and think we’re seeing joy. We wonder at their circumstances compared to our own and feel as if we may be missing out on something. Or at least, question whether our obedience really matters. After all, the Lord isn’t repaying them for their disobedience… or so it seems.
Psalm 94 begins with a prayer for vengeance. The Psalmist sees wickedness and calls to the Lord to intervene. In their arrogance, the wicked say that the Lord “does not see…perceive.†The psalmist knows better. He tells them to “understand,†after all, “the Lord knows the thoughts of man, they are but breath.â€
We must not fall into the trap of the wicked. We must not assume that the Lord’s timing means weakness or a lack of care. In fact, the psalmist points out how blessed is a person “whom you discipline.†It is better to receive discipline from the Lord in order to have “rest in the day of trouble,†than to go undisciplined and fall into the “pit dug for the wicked.†Just like with earthly fathers, discipline brings a little pain to spare a much greater pain (Hebrews 12:11).
Verses 16–23 regard the Lord as the psalmist’s help in time of need. Are we walking with the Lord in the same way?
God does not give a road map on life to tell us what we might expect at every turn in order to navigate our lives ourselves. God does not play into our self-sufficiency where we say, “Show me the road ahead so I can get there myself.†Instead, he offers a relationship and turn by turn directions as he travels with us through each turn. Like the wicked, our flesh desires self-sufficiency even as we ask the Lord to bless our journey. Then, we arrogantly mistake blessing as that which the wicked possess—money, respect, gratification, etc.
Instead, blessing may look like having only what is necessary to cover your needs. It may be marked by struggle and trials. After all, ease isn’t always from the Lord and difficulty isn’t always from Satan. We must not begrudge the Lord’s discipline but trust his steadfast love. We must remember that although sin may bring pleasure temporarily, but obedience brings joy eternally.
Written By: Tyler Short
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