April 23, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 94-95 (NIV)
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,
This question in verse three is one that we have ourselves the way the world is now. “Lord ,how long shall the wicked , how long shall the wicked triumph?” There is a double emphasis here in this verse. We don`t understand why evil keeps winning and continues to keep getting worse. At least that is what we see and not the complete picture. Without God in one`s life everyone will do what is right in their own eyes. For they become their own god whether they realize it or not. [ Judges 21;25 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes.] The same is true today where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. The saying today is that you have your truth and I have mine. This statement is from the pit of Hell, for there is only one truth . It resides in the person of Jesus Christ. [John 14; 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.] Latter he explains how God sees it all and knows the thoughts of man that He will in due time bring judgement upon the wicked. But He also uses the hard times that we go through as Christians to help us grow in Christ. We are blessed when He chastiseth us. He helps us through hard times. He is our rock, our refuge and our defense. He is merciful when we fall. Thank the Lord. Where would we be without Him?
Psalm 95 opens up with praise to the Lord. Come before Him with joy, thanksgiving in Psalms. Proclaim God`s greatness for He is the creator of the universe. Because of who He is, we should be bowing down before Him with humility for He is the only true God. He is an awesome God.
Psalms 94-95
Obeying God is not always the easiest choice we live in such a selfish world and we can easily get sucked into the thought process that I must look out for myself, however, that is not the example Jesus provided and not the plan God wants for us.
We are to think of others first and to spread the light of the gospel to the world. God knows our hearts and He will judge us accordingly. We are accountable to hear and to follow…He provides us all we need in that path. He provides the wisdom, the strength, the safety, and the peace….we just need to believe and obey.
Psalm 94 – 97
It is hard to see the world be so evil and more and more people dismiss the knowledge and faith of God and then follow behaviors that reject His standards. Yes, good has become evil and evil has become good just as God warned. But it is good that we can express our frustration to God and know that He sees and hears and is able to bring about judgement when it is fitting. No one is truly getting away with anything in this world even though it is not always easy to see that. And God is also our solace as we see so much evil and His truth and love support us and lift us up, especially to know that He is able to bless righteousness regardless of how evil the world gets. And so the natural conclusion from Psalm 94 is Psalm 95: praise Him. Sing for joy because of all He is and all He has done and is doing. He is the great king and we have the privilege to know Him and worship Him. Let’s just make sure we don’t fall into the traps that others have that have lead them to forsake God.
God is the one who avenges the wicked ones, not us. He supports us, comforts us, loves us and protects us. We don’t have to fret about evil people, the Lord will take care of them in His perfect timing. Sing to God with thanksgiving for He is all powerful and He created everything. He is the Rock of our salvation, He is our maker, we are His people, and He cares for us like a shepherd cares for His sheep.