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Psalm 94. What an unusual opening - so different - not many prayers begin by addressing God in such terms. It arrests you. It does get your attention, and, it is true. Now and again - we need something to shake us - awaken us - regarding our praying.

God does not reject, ignore or overlook this type of praying. The disciples noticed the difference when they overheard Jesus praying - and they asked Jesus - Teach us to pray.

When we look at the opening words of these Psalm - there is such variety. God is such a God of variety. No matter where you look in Creation - you can see something different - unique - and attractive.

Verse 1 . The God Who avenges is the same God Who shines forth. God does more than love. The writer sees evil doers in power - and smarts under their oppression. His sense of Divine Sovereignty of which he had been singing in the previous Psalm leads him to appeal to God.

Never seek revenge - never seek to get even - to get your own back - retaliation - leave all that to God. Romans 12verses 17 to 21 .

v.2 . Rise up, O God, and do what only YOU can do. He is confident and assured that God is more than able to act.

v 3 Then there comes the inevitable question - even when praying - HOW LONG? This is a natural reaction when we see innocence being trampled upon - "Shall wrong rule for ever?"

v.4 . Arrogant words and boasting - this believing man is perplexed by the prosperity of the wicked. Have the proud given you a hard time? They gave Jesus a hard time.

v 5 They crush your people - and there are times when God permits that. They oppress. We are dealing with deep emotional reactions which we all experience - and they are sore, upsetting and disturbing.

v.6 . They slay and murder - those who are so weak and vulnerable - those who should be the objects of compassion and tenderness. The tears of widows and the cries of strangers and the blood of orphans - this was written 3,000 years ago – and yet, is so relevant today.

v 7 They say - The Lord does not see - the God of Jacob pays no attention. Such arrogance - as they dream so wrongly of a blind God. God does not see. O yes, He does. Jacob's God heard him at the brook Jabbok - and God has led him and kept him all his life long. Genesis. 32verse 26 - I will not let You go unless You bless me.

v 8 Is it not high time you became wise - that you came to your senses? How frequently these thoughts go through our minds. Be careful now - Jesus was forever warning people about being careful and taking care - about watching and praying - guarding against being deceived - about being alert - and being cautious regarding what is said.

v 9 Then come various questions - He who made the ear - He who made you hear - do you not think that He himself can hear? And He who formed the eye - moulded and shaped it - the word used by the potter - do you not think He can see all that is going on?

God disciplines. God punishes. God teaches.

v.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 careful as to what we say and what we do.

Nothing escapes His knowledge.

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

“Lord God – You know all about me – and yet You call me to come to You, through Jesus Christ. Thank You for that mighty call – thank You that in and through Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven – washed and cleansed from my sins through the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary. Thank You for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit – in Jesus’ name.” Amen.

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Manifestations of the Spirit