Some times we feel that we are victims of people
that are getting away with their sins...
Psalm 94:8-11
Understand, O dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be
wise?
He who planted the ear, does he not
hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not
see?
He who disciplines the nations, does
he not rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge—
the LORD—knows the
thoughts of man,
that they are but a
breath.
Certainly the psalmist is exposing the foolishness of the
wicked, as they think they are getting away with their sin.
What a description of the world we live in. Man apart from
God is arrogant and wicked. He boasts in his evildoing, while he thinks he is
in total control of his life and destiny. But God is totally aware of every
evildoing.
Some times we feel that we are victims of people that are
getting away with their sins; Paul reminds us that it is not true.
Romans 2:1-11
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every
one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself,
because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the
judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you
suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them
yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the
riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's
kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath
for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be
revealed.
He will render to each one according
to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor
and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking
and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and
fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does
evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for
everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no
partiality.
These were the words I would often point out to people who
have been hurt by others, as I counseled with them. Our desire for vengeance
will not produce godliness. Although man seems to be able to live unpunished,
God is aware and will make things right. God’s wrath will be severe, just,
timely, appropriate, and sure.
Reality is that God is giving man time for repentance.
As we reflect on this truth, does it not warm your heart
that God did not repay us for our sin? Don’t we rejoice in the grace God has
shown us? Immediate wrath to our sin would not have left even us unpunished!
As the psalmist asks the question:
Psalm 94:20 ESV
Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
those who frame
injustice by statute?
He knows that God is on his side and not on the side of the
wicked. He is using the wicked in our lives to mold us and change us.
There are no victims! Those who have received evil are being
pushed into the arms of God. Those who God is not immediately punishing are
being given time to repent. Those who will be judged for their sin by the wrath
of God will receive the righteous deserved punishment.
As we live our lives in a corrupt world, God wants us to
find rest in Him. The psalmist reminds us that God does not forsake His own.
His justice will not abandon His children. Without God’s care we would surely
fall.
What beautiful words we find:
Psalm 94:19
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer
my soul.
If we are not finding consolation, it’s probably because we
are looking for the wrong things in the wrong places.
We know what the end result is: God will win! In the meantime,
rejoice in the grace you have received and leave in the hands of God the
judgment of the evildoers. Rejoice in the fact that you know where to find
peace and rest.
Psalm 94:22
But the LORD has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of
my refuge.
God is holding you in the palm of His hand. Let His word
warm your soul; let His truth lighten your troubled time; let His perfect
timing give peace to your difficulties.
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