Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 11-12-24

We all love and welcome the Lord’s justice working in our behalf against evil. When we face injustice at the hands of others it is painful; because everyone suffers when we fall victim to the sinful works of evil. Wickedness has a ripple effect on the souls of people and we can find ourselves suffering in our relationship with God and/or others. Yet, we can never lose track of the goodness of God to keep us strong in the middle of our suffering and we must praise the Lord for the stability he alone can bring the lives of his worshipers. If you are suffering because of injustice, you do not suffer alone. Jesus is the Suffering Servant who is always with you; he will never leave or forsake you (Deut 31:6; Is 53:4-9).

Not only is our all-knowing God aware of the actions of the wicked against his people, he notices the very thoughts of those who give power to evil. His thoughts are high above human thoughts (Is 55:8-9). Therefore, the wicked may think they are getting away with deeds of injustice and evil, but our passage today reminds us otherwise. There is a time of judgment coming based on the motives of the heart (which includes the thought life), as well as the deeds of the flesh. What the wicked have sown against others will be what they one day reap themselves (Gal 6:7).

As believers, we must trust God when our faith, souls, and physical bodies are attacked, because the Lord has promised to be our vindicator and will bring justice in time. The wicked will give an account for their evil deeds and will pay the divine penalty for them. Justice will always overcome corruption and those who believe in Christ worship and serve the God of Justice!

Keep in mind the work of wickedness results in broken lives; the work of the righteous brings forth greater faith, reconciliation, growth, and blessing. The Lord uses all things—instruction and discipline—to bring us into a place of sustained well-being. However, these challenging times are certainly opportunities for believers to press into the Lord by faith to be covered by his righteous Right Hand.

Psalm 94:11 AMP 
11
The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (meaning: empty and futile—only a breath).
12 Blessed (meaning: happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage.
15 For justice will return to the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the Lord had been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land where there is] silence.
18 When I said, My foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up.
19 In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this passage from the psalter, today. We praise you for never leaving us and knowing what we suffer in this fallen world. Thank you for keeping us strong and filled with joy even in the face of adversity. Thank you for keeping our footing on solid ground and surrounding us with your mercy and love. You, O Lord, are a delight for our souls during the good times and even in the challenging times. Our faith looks up to you! In Jesus’ name. Amen,