Psalm 94 — How To Respond Biblically to Trials.

Tonight I'm preaching on Psalm 94. It speaks of the way believers in God should respond to times when they are mistreated by the wicked. I just want to elucidate a few points that have spoken to my heart.

Verse 12:
Hebrew:
אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ הַגֶּ֣בֶר אֲשֶׁר־תְּיַסְּרֶ֣ נּוּיְהוָ֣ה וּֽמִתֹּורָתְךָ֥ תְלַמְּדֶֽנּוּ׃

Translation:

Blessed is the man whom Yahweh disciplines; whom you teach from Your Law.

This verse reminds us that the man is blessed whom the Lord disciplines. This is not a punitive discipline but an instructional discipline (cf. Heb 12:4ff). This is the one whom the Lord loves. And thus, because Yahweh loves His own, He disciplines and instructs them for their good and for His glory. Sometimes this chastisement can be painful—and even unpleasant! Nevertheless, God is sovereign and we as His children must submit to His fatherly rebuke so that we would be adequately trained and growing in maturity.

Verse 14:
Hebrew:
כִּ֤י׀ לֹא־יִטֹּ֣ש יְהוָ֣ה עַמֹּ֑ו וְ֝נַחֲלָתֹ֗ו לֹ֣א יַעֲזֹֽב׃

Translation:
For Yahweh will not forsake His people; and His inheritance He will not abandon.

What an amazing concept! Yahweh will not forsake His own people! O How He loves them and how He cares for them! The notion that God could ever leave or forsake His people is utter blasphemy to even contemplate. Yahweh is ever-present with His people. He is their strength; He is their friend. What a joy to know that as we traverse through life—the good and bad times; the easy and hard times—God has not and he shall not forsake or abandon His people.

Verse 22:
Hebrew:
וַיְהִ֬י יְהוָ֣ה לִ֣י לְמִשְׂגָּ֑ב וֵ֝אלֹהַ֗י לְצ֣וּר מַחְסִֽי׃

Translation:
And Yahweh has become for me a fortress; and My God is the Rock of my Refuge

Not only is there a significant marker at the beginning of the verse ("has become") which is emphatic in the poetic genre but the psalmist boldly declares that it is the LORD who is a fortress and a rock and a refuge. That God protects His people can clearly be proven from Scripture—yes, from this verse! God is the One to whom His people can flee to in times of trouble. He will protect them. Under the shadow of His wings can we as His people find true shelter, shade, and security.

Let these truths resonate in your heart today as you serve the Sovereign King.