Psalm 94 is a lesson in the fact that the Lord knows how to view, understand, and respond to everything that happens in this world.  As we study it, let us learn this theme by letting the poet answer six questions for us.

 HOW LONG WILL THE WICKED TRIUMPH? (94:1-3)

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs--
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! 
Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud. 
LORD, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph? 

This first section expresses a desire to learn from God about one of the “How Long” questions in the Bible.  The language of these verses is dramatically emphatic, for there is an emphasized plea for God to shine (show) forth in vengeance (v.1); a double desire for the Judge to punish (v.2); and the repeated question “How long?” will the wicked continue to triumph (v.3).  

HOW MUCH THEY HAVE DONE! (94:4-7)

They utter speech, and speak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. 
They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage. 
They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless. 
Yet they say, "The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob understand." 

The second section speaks of the lives of these wicked ones in four parts:  their words (v.4a); their work (v.4b); the object of their evil lives (vv.5,6); and their “theology” (v.7).  

HOW FOOLISH THEY ARE! (94:8-11)

Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise? 
He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 
He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge? 
The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile. 

The third section gives God’s response to those wicked people who claimed that He did not see or understand their ways.  His claim is that they were the senseless fools (v.8); He has the ability to see and understand since He is the Maker of the ear and the eye (v.9); He is the One Who has the instructive information that all nations need (v.10); and He really does know these evil ones whose very thoughts are futile (v. 1).
 

HOW INSTRUCTIVE YOU HAVE BEEN! (94:12-15)

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law, 
That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked. 
For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 
But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it. 

The fourth section reminds us that God knows how and why to instruct mankind in all of the things that relate to this life and the preparation we need to make for the next life.  He is the One Who instructs (out of His law; v.12); He does it for a reason (to assure us in the midst of the many trials of life; v.13); He does it with a promise (He will not cast off—forsake—His people; v.14); and He does it on the basis of a standard (His Own righteous judgment; which is an encouragement for the upright to “keep on keeping on”; v.15).

HOW HELPFUL YOU HAVE BEEN! (94:16-19)

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 
Unless the LORD had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence. 
If I say, "My foot slips,"
Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. 
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul. 

The fifth section is an exclamation regarding the helpfulness of God.  God knows how helpful He can be, and when we let ourselves learn this, we ought to be prompted to go to Him for the help He has to offer in our time of need.  He has the answers to the question that wants to know who will stand up for us against sinners (v.16); His helpfulness has been experienced in the past (v.17); He is even there to mercifully help my “slipping foot” (v.18); and I can therefore believe in His ability to know how to deal with all of my anxieties (this word means “distracting thoughts which divide and perplex the mind”; Kirkpatrick, p. 570; v.19).

HOW CERTAIN THIS IS! (94:20-23)

Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,
Have fellowship with You? 
They gather together against the life of the righteous,
And condemn innocent blood. 
But the LORD has been my defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge. 
He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
The LORD our God shall cut them off. 

The sixth section reminds us that since we can know the certainty of these things—they must have come from a Source Who is also certain of them!  The righteous ask a rhetorical question teaching the important lesson that there is no fellowship between the wicked and God (v.20); the true character of the wicked leads them to “gang up” against the righteous and the innocent (v.21); the characteristics of Jehovah are so mighty that He can be our defense and rock in all circumstances (v.22); and those who persist in sin shall—without exception—reap as they have sown (v.23).

Let us believe that Jehovah of hosts does know all of this, that we can come to Him for help, and that we must always approach Him on His terms (Hebrews 4:14-16; John 14:15).

SICK LIST:  Paul Boaz was in the hospital overnight for observation and a stress test after having chest pain.  Dave Komisak is improving following surgery.  Belle Oliver’s brother-in-law is suffering from cancer.  Lynn Bradshaw’s father, B. D. Draper, is not able to be out because of his treatments for cancer.  Jacqi Grubb is with their daughter-in-law, Anna, again this week.  She is recovering slowly from a difficult delivery.  Robyn Kendrick continues to need our prayers.  

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 1 is in charge of the services today at 1:30. 
TEACHER PREP CLASSES:  Brenda Rutherford will be training the women teachers who will be teaching “The Church” this spring.  Classes will be Wednesday, February 6 and 13, and will be downstairs in the multi-purpose building.

SWEETHEART BANQUET:  February 9 will be our annual Sweetheart Banquet—the men prepare and serve the meal for all our ladies.  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for all the ladies who will be attending.

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST:   Sonny Johnson was immersed for the remission of sins Sunday afternoon.  We rejoice with him for this decision—and welcome him into the family at Duluth.  

SUPER BOWL PARTY:  Everyone is invited to the Andrews’ following Sunday evening services to watch the rest of the Super Bowl.  Please bring snacks and drinks.

FOR THE RECORD: 1/20  1/27
AM Class                    142   117
AM Worship               172   153
PM Worship               127   111
Wednesday Class       129   129
Contribution            $5331  $4845
Budget                    $5150  $5150