Vengeance is the Lord’s
Lord, God of vengeance–God of vengeance, shine!
Psalm 94:1 (CSB)
The Psalmist proclaims God’s justice and protection against evil. He cries out for the Lord to intervene and assist His people against the wicked. This request arises from the Psalmist’s confidence in the Lord’s sovereignty and His ultimate judgment. The Psalm encourages us today to trust in the Lord’s justice when confronting the injustices of this fallen world. We are reminded that we are not alone but live with hope because of who Christ is in our lives.
Crying Out For Justice (1-7). The Psalmist begins by crying out for help from the Lord. He describes the conditions surrounding him and asks how long the wicked will seem to prosper. He observes their arrogant words and wonders how long it will be until they are silenced. He struggles against the claims of others that the Lord is ignoring the current dynamics in the world. The Psalmist honestly conveys his experience. When we cry out for help, we need to follow the example of the Psalmist by stating our perceptions regarding the situation. This practice allows us to openly express our thoughts and feelings, preparing us to hear from the Lord.
Confronting Folly (8-11). The Psalmist highlights the foolish nature of the world. The verses indicate that the foolish believe their lives are occurring without any consequence. Yet, the Lord knows the truth and reality. Believers find encouragement in recognizing that the Lord understands the true condition of the foolish. He knows their ways and thoughts. God is not surprised by people. He is not caught off guard. Believers confront folly, knowing that the Lord is in control.
Comfort Through Correction (12-15). The Psalmist mentioned the blessing of being disciplined by the Lord. The discipline of the Lord serves as a refining act that calls us to correction. The absence of God’s discipline should leave us unsettled, while discipline should provide comfort. There is comfort in the pain of God’s discipline because He is preparing us for something greater. He is working in our lives and leading us to become more like Him. We must worship the fact that God chooses not to ignore us but to correct us.
God Our Champion (16-23). The Psalmist concludes the Psalm by recognizing that God is the essential champion. He is the victorious King who fights on behalf of His people. He engages in the battles we can never win and secures the victory for us that we can never achieve. Believers rest in the assurance that the Lord, as our champion, will administer perfect justice and provide perfect protection. This truth should lead us to a place of worship because God alone is the necessary champion.
QUESTIONS
How is the discipline we experience from the Lord a benefit to our spiritual development and maturity?
How can we live with the proper understanding that God is our champion?
