GOD SEES AND WILL JUDGE

DAILY MANNA, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2019
 

 

TEXT: PSALM 94:1-11.

KEY VERSE "Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud" (PSALM 94:2).

US Supreme Court Justice, Horace Gray, once informed a man who had appeared before him in a lower court and had escaped conviction on a technicality, "I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law."

The psalmist in our text was asking God to judge the wicked. He acknowledged that vengeance belongs to God but was worried that justice was taking too long to come and the wicked was becoming more and more audacious with many righteous people suffering as a result.

The strangers, widows and the fatherless who are particularly vulnerable are targeted by these evil men who believe there is no God who will hold them to account. The psalmist then turned his attention to the evil men, telling them it is folly for them to think that God, who formed the eye and ear can neither see nor hear. The Lord knows the thoughts of men and will surely bring evil people to account.

The Old Testament, especially, the Psalms are full of passages like this where judgement is demanded. The prayers, sometimes, call for the prompt destruction of the wicked and for death to be visited on them. Some New Testament believers of today now pray according to this pattern. It shows how little of Scriptures they know and how much damage some modern-day 'fire and brimstone' prophets have caused.

We must understand that God knows everything and will deal with unjust people at His own time, whether we ask Him to do so or not. While we decry the evil of the wicked, we must also give room for mercy and forgiveness as true children of God.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: No matter how long, justice will prevail.

COVER TO COVER: Daniel 1-2.

MEDITATION:

Praying for Justice in the land

1. The wickedness of the wicked in the land vv4-7.
 

a. Check out the terrible wickedness of the wicked in the land in vv4-7.
 

b. Think of the terrible wickedness of the wicked against fellow humanity in your land. 

God, cause the rule of the law and justice to reign in the land
 

2. The concern of the Psalmist
 

a. The psalmist was not praying against his personal enemies vv2,3.
 

b. The psalmist did not have specific people in mind vv2,3.
 

c. He was concerned at the impunity and the boastings of the wicked in the land vv4,7.
 

d. He was jealous of the righteousness of God and how the wicked triumph over the righteous as if the God of the righteous is sleeping v2.
 

Lord, defend and fight for the righteous in the land and let not the wicked prevail over them
 

e. He was troubled at the blasphemy of the wicked vv7-10.
 

3. The prayer for justice
 

a. He wanted the rule of the law to reign in his nation so that the wicked will be punished and the righteous will be praised and appreciated vv1,2.
 

b. He knew that if God's "judgement is in the land the nations of the world will learn righteousness".
 

c. If there is judgement for evil in the church, like Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11,  there will be revival of righteousness in the Church.
 

Ask that the Lord will begin to expose and uproot wicked people in the Church like in the early church.
 

Ask that God, in His vengeance, will start to expose and judge false prophets in the land like in the Bible days.
 

Lord, visit those who have covenanted to be destroying destinies in the Church and let them know you are a God of justice.
 

d. He knew he was praying according to the nature of God as a God of vengeance vv1,2.
 

Lord, deliver your Church in this nation from all wicked adversaries and their plans
 

Caution: Individuals are commanded to pray for their known, personal enemies and leave the judgement to God. Matthew 5:44-45, Romans 12:19-21.

HYMN:

LEAVE IT THERE

1. If the world from you withholds of its silver and its gold,

And you have to get along with meager fare,

Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;

Take your burden to the Lord, leave it there.

Chorus
Leave it there, leave it there,

Just take your burden to the Lord oh and leave it there.

If you trust him through your doubt, He will surely bring you out.

Take your burden to the Lord, leave it there.

2. Now if your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain,

And your soul is slowly sinking in despair,

Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;

Take your burden to the Lord, leave it there.

Chorus

3. If your enemies assail and your heart begin to fail

Don't forget God in heaven answers prayer;

He will make a way for you, and He will lead you safely through;

Take your burden to the lord and leave it there.

Chorus

4. When your youthful days are done,

and old age is stealing on,

and your body bends beneath the weight of care;

He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end;

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Chorus