Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalm 94:8-15
Psalm 94:8-15
8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? 9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? 10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge? 11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. 12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; 13 you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
In our language the word discipline has come to mean the same as the word punishment. However, while the word includes punishment it goes far beyond this in meaning. Discipline is training. This includes teaching in a positive sense, it also includes rebuke and restraint as needed and then punishment when required to accomplish the end. This word was often used of a tutor who would be assigned by the wealthy head of the household to raise a child to a certain age and then that person would be considered an adult.
Paul speaks of a child that is an heir but equal to a servant because they are still under the tutor but when of age they are over the whole house. The writer of Hebrews says the Lord disciplines those whom he loves and anyone without discipline is an illegitimate son.
God hears, he sees and he knows what we need and what is best for us in every situation in our lives. When we submit to him and to his will we can know that he is always with us and watching over us. He will use whatever happens to us (even when it is because we have messed up bad ourselves) and use it for our good. He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but with every temptation he will provide a way of escape. That means we must never blame God for our problems but also that we are to look for his way to go. This is why we are told to pray for wisdom and he will give it to us generously and without being critical toward us for asking. The Lord loves his own.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your constant care and protection in my life. Help me open my eyes to see your working and then to give you the praise. Don’t let me be fooled into thinking that this life is what really matters but help me keep focused on the eternal. Lord, I ask a special blessing on our nation and our leaders that we might move back toward a time when you were honored in public. Give your protection to those men and women who protect and serve us that we may have the many freedoms we enjoy. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
--Robert
