Psalm 94

 Psalm 94

The persecution of the righteous is nothing new. The freedoms we enjoy as Christians in America for the last two centuries are a historic oddity. This psalm is sort of a psalm for the persecuted. The outline is worth noting. First, there is an appeal for justice in verses 1-7. Second, there is a rebuke for the wicked in verses 8-11. Third is God's care for His followers, verses 12 - 16. Fourth, the followers' trust in God, verses 17-19, and finally, fifth, the coming punishment of the wicked verses 20-23.

There is one thing that overshadows each section and is essential for a follower who is under persecution or pressure, no matter what the intensity. Every moment there is a focus on God. If we look carefully in each moment, we see it is about God. Perhaps it is His justice, His perfect will that has been violated; His past care and protection are His future actions. The plight of the suffering saint is never primarily about the saint. It is about God.

We all want to be the main character in our story, but it is never really about us. When we make the story about us, it becomes a tragedy or perhaps a farce. But when our story, even the story of our pain, is about God, it becomes an epic saga of victory.

“Lord, help me to keep my focus on you whenever I face any pressure. Amen.”