Wise Words For Those Who Don't Worship the God of Jacob--Psalm 94

Psa 94:1-15 ESV  O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!  2  Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!  3  O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?  4  They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.  5  They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.  6  They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;  7  and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive."  8  Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?  9  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?  10  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge-- 11  the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.  12  Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,  13  to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.  14  For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;  15  for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

There are many lessons to examine from this passage of Scripture concerning those who despise the God of Jacob (Israel). Lets just look briefly at several:

1. Notice the main theme is that God is the Judge who holds the proud/wicked accountable for their actions by repaying them for what they have done.  The proud/wicked in this passage refer to people who purposely exalt themselves against the Almighty God.
2. These proud people are being judged by God because they are:
• arrogant (idea is they are defiant with their words against God)
• boasters of evil (they act as if the Lord doesn't exist--like verse 7)
• full of oppression against the helpless (widows, strangers, children)
3. God calls these people foolish and reminds them that He who made them does see, hear, and knows their thoughts.  This means that nothing can be hidden from God's justice.
4. God judges the nations (similar to Obadiah 1:15 "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.")
5. God blesses those who learn the Law (the Bible) and gives them justice, peace.
6. Those who follow God from the heart are God's people and He will never forsake them.  

This passage is a sobering reminder that although people try to act as if God is dead, God is in fact not dead and will one day hold every person accountable for their actions.  

The question I have for you from this passage is which type of person are you?  Are you one of the proud in rebellion against God or are you one of the righteous who follow God from the heart?  As  you see from this passage, life and eternity fair far better for those who love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

Pastor Steve

Psalm119:89