“Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”
Psalms 94:12-15 NIV
These verses point out the need for the righteous to find the blessings in life’s difficulties. Hard times help us learn the way of the Lord. We become more reliant upon God and hopefully are more diligent to follow God’s instructions. When we read about this discipline, we should not think of it as being punished for wrongdoing. Rather, discipline is merely God’s training tool. This is why the psalmist links discipline with learning from God’s instructions.
In these verses we see that blessed is we who are disciplined by the Lord. This can be very difficult to see, as none of us likes discipline, it is uncomfortable and downright painful sometimes. However, God refine us through trials and times of discipline so we can be useful to Him and His kingdom. We also see in these verses that God’s discipline gives us rest from trouble. This is especially hard to understand. It’s one thing to begrudgingly endure trials with mourning, but to see God’s discipline as a source of comfort seems unfathomable. But consider the shepherd’s staff. It is used to direct sheep and is a source of comfort to them. These verses describe four promises that God gives to his people. 1. Relief from troubled times. God does provide relief. We are never crushed beyond hope. God will make sure to give us a breather, and get our feet back under us before the next challenge comes. 2. Eventual punishment of the wicked. A time will come with the pit will be dug for the wicked and they will be ensnared for their sins. Justice will eventually come. 3. God’s faithfulness. God will not reject his people. He will not abandon his special possession. Deliverance may be delayed, and time may be difficult, but God does not leave his people. 4. The triumph of righteousness. Ultimately, righteousness and justice will triumph. But right now, justice and righteousness are delayed. Immediate judgment rarely occurs. We are not to be shaken by this fact. Rather, we are to know that the righteous will triumph and we must continue to pursue righteousness. When we see God’s discipline as something that is ultimately for our own safety or comfort, we can rest easier during times of trial, knowing our Enemy, the devil will eventually be put into the pit for all eternity!!!
Father thank You for this day and the breath of Your Word that sustains us. Lord open up the storehouses of Your abundant blessings and let the fall upon my friend and family today. Lord thank You Lord that You are wisdom, power, love, and mercy. Lord thank You for Your Holy word which is instruction and guidance to craft a life worth living. Lord lead us to the scripture that will open our eyes and mind to see how to tap into Your peace which resides in us. Lord give my friend and I a longing to shine the light of love and compassion in such a way that others see and glorify You today. Daddy we love you amen. Be a blessing. Love you !
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