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We are making our ways through Psalm 94and we come to verse 11 – God knows the thoughts of man - he knows that they are futile.

We can have good ideas - things we would like to do - but if the anointing of God is not upon them, they are futile. God's intimate knowledge of man is a startling truth - and a truth which makes us be very very careful as to what we say and what we do. Nothing escapes His knowledge.

John 2verses 24to 25 - Jesus knew all men - and He knew what was in a man - so similar to what is revealed in this Psalm.

Verse 12 – It is as if the Psalmist re-tunes his harp to play softer melodies. Blessed is the man you discipline - there is a difference between being disciplined and being punished. In some areas of life we are aware of that and can usually recognise it - but somehow it is not so easily recognised in the spiritual realms.

And, there is another person blessed - the man You teach from Your law.

The Psalmist places discipline before teaching - establishing a principle which has almost been reversed in these days - "Without discipline there can be no real teaching."

When discipline is abandoned, teaching ceases. If a teacher cannot exercise discipline he cannot really teach. But - God goes even further - He will not try to teach those who refuse His discipline.

Understand something of the nature of these blessings - "You grant him relief from days of trouble." We are confronted here with two alternatives - we can come under God's discipline now and be preserved from His judgement - or we can refuse Wod's discipline now and come under His Judgement in days which lie ahead. We either discipline ourselves or God will discipline us - or send someone else to discipline us.

Verse 14 – The Lord will not reject His People - He will never forsake His Inheritance. He will never go back on those whom He has chosen. He will never go back on His choice of Israel - NEVER.

Verse 15 – Judgement will again be founded on righteousness - when God acts as Judge, HE is always right. Always.

Verse 16 – Then, comes this call - Who will rise up? Who will take a stand? Who in these present days will stand - and go on standing for truth and righteousness? God is looking for people - who will rise up - and stand - and testify and witness.

Verse 17 – The Psalmist remembers how God had helped him - when he thought he was slipping - there was a presence - a love - a support. God is so understanding - He knows all about our weaknesses, and He does not reject us on account of them. He does not ask us to come before Him - or present ourselves to the world, with a façade of strength, which has no basis in reality. All He asks is that we sincerely yield to HIM. The Psalmist realised that he could not save himself. When we think that things are almost getting out of hand - and we are losing control - when He hears our voice - our cry for help - He is there to support and uphold.

Verse 19 – When I experienced anxiety - what honesty - this man of God could still be touched by anxiety - and he was unafraid to admit it. Our God shows us His man - going through times and seasons of ANXIETY - and he finds God consoling him - and bringing joy to his soul.

Has it not been in such times that we experience the joy of God flooding our lives - the Holy Spirit ministering to us in a new but real and realistic way - reassuring us - or whatever it might be. Sometimes, the greater the pressure, the more powerful is the consolation.

Verse 20 – He asks another question - and the answer is a conspiracy against the throne of God and the people of God - with one goal - one aim - death.

Verse 22 – But the Lord has become my fortress - my Rock - my Masada. He will deal with the sinful enemy and his wickedness. He will deal with them totally and finally.

In one sense - this Psalm is all about living our life in the Presence of God - with everything else going on around us - and we can discern His Presence - His Absolute Control - His Sovereignty - His Being in Charge - His Care - His Strength - His Supportive and Supporting Love.

“Gracious Father – we thank You once more for the love of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord – and for the power of the Holy Spirit. We thank You for every provision. We thank for friends and for those who fellowship with us and surround us with prayer. Hear us as we pray for others – remembering again, those who are sorely and severely persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ, and for those men and women who serve where it is difficult and dangerous and challenging in all kinds of ways – we pray in Jesus’ name”. Amen.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One