Wisdom Truck 29

 

This one kinda came between two hits.  First, the verse.  We are at Psalm 94- and the fact that it starts with, "O LORD, God of Vengeance" ought to tell you that what comes next is not going to be pretty.  The author begins by pointing out two things about the evil people of the world.  First, a list of sins: Speaking nothing but arrogant words; crushing God's people; killing widows, orphans, and "the sojourner".  Second, and even worse:

Psa 94:7  and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” 

Now note, these are NOT wicked people who don't know about God; these are people who know and don't think He's worth the bother.

But then, God speaks- not just to these people, but to His people who are not listening, even without malicious intent:

Psa 94:8  Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? 

Psa 94:9  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 

Psa 94:10  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— 

Psa 94:11  the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. 

"Dullest of the people"- KJV translates this "ye brutish among the people".  What exactly are we looking at here?  This is more than just being stubborn and stupid.  The root brings us to "cattle to be consumed".

Dumb animals.

I struggled with how to go about this post, because I had just listened to Pastor Sam preaching a message about putting love in action, and how that means loving and serving and praying people who are the hardest to live with (and I managed avoiding telling my boss that he used as an example, "my boss is a knucklehead!"  But what happened that put MY love in actions was, just moment later, someone I am kind of at that point with posted on Facebook someone's leftist political rant that was vulgar, insulting, and totally wrong.  And if you have been around me any length of time, you know those are the kind of things I used to love to come back with both barrels, whether it would help or hurt.

I scrolled away.  And did a lot of praying.  Not for political beliefs to change, but that their heart would change, that they would let go of all their pain and all their hate and give it to God. Someday.  Because that's exactly what Pastor Sam hit me on.

Then today, I was hit by the other side.  On the day's John McAArthur sermon, he gave some stats about how many "Christians" in mainline Protestant Churches disbelieve the Resurrection.  How many don't see the Bible as the inerrant Word Of God.  I knew it, I'd heard it before and it still chilled me.

These "dumb beasts" don't get one simple thing.  That a God so mighty as to create stars hundreds of times bigger than our own, and "planted" the complex ear and "formed" the amazing eye, can easily make sure His people can get His Word in the form HE wants it in.  It's not legend, it's not fairy tales, It is the truth cover to cover, and its only limitation is the reader.

If these "dumb beasts' don't like this, too bad.  If you are one of the 87% who don't believe the Bible is true, cover to cover- WHY ARE YOU EVEN THERE?

Psa 94:11  the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. 

Psa 94:12  Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, 

Psa 94:13  to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 

Psa 94:14  For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 

Psa 94:15  for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 

Now, pay attention to this passage:

1- God doesn't abandon His people.

2- He DOES discipline His people.

3- For the dumb beasts, a pit is dug...

4- The upright in heart NEED to follow.