“He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not, see?” (Psalm 94:9).
TEXT — Psalm 94:1-11
Message
The deists generally believe that God created the world and withdrew from intervening in the affairs of man. The societal exploitation and injustice level tends to lend credence to this philosophical viewpoint. Does God see the wickedness of man? This was the critical issue raised by the Psalmist in our text. The book of Psalms was written when the people of God were undergoing severe persecution. It appealed to God, the Judge of the whole earth (verse 2), to awaken and avenge the injustice perpetrated against the weak by people in positions of power and influence. It was also meant to encourage those in despair by reminding them that God, the supreme Judge who gave them eyes and ears, could see their plight and hear their groans (Psalm 94:9).
Throughout the ages, individuals and communities who found themselves at the receiving end of man’s inhumanity have always wondered how long they had to endure the injustice and why God had not intervened speedily in their cases (Psalm 94:4; Revelation 6:10). Prophet Habakkuk said he would wait to hear what God would say to him when He eventually breaks His silence. The response of God terrified him to the point he had to beg God to temper justice with mercy (Habakkuk 1:2; 3:2).
The natural response of people to inhuman treatment is revenge. As believers, we are expected to leave vengeance to God, the Author of retributive justice (Psalm 94:1; Hebrews 10:30). As humans, asking ‘how long’ in our prayer is also expected. Spurgeon noted, “In due time, God will publish His reply, but the full end is not yet.” If the wheel of justice is slow, it is simply because God is not only a God of justice but also plenteous in mercy. God will always provide relief in troublesome times and eventually punish the wicked. If you remain steadfast in trial, you will find God faithful and ultimately overcome (Psalm 94:14,15).
Thought for the day
Human revenge dulls the edge of God’s retributive justice.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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