DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 28 November 2023
TOPIC: Crying for Justice
TEXT: Psalm 94:1-11 (KJV)
94 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
KEY VERSE
“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.”
(Psalm 94:1,2)
DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 28 November 2023 MESSAGE
There are different forms of agitation and protest in different parts of the world against perceived acts of injustice, particularly those directed against the poor and less privileged. There are different forms of maltreatment being meted out to the poor, minority groups, women and girls, and people of different religious beliefs. Feeling so marginalised and unable to stand up against the oppressors themselves, people take to protest and other forms of social disobedience in order to call the attention of the world to their plight in pursuit of justice.
Rather than cry out for human help and support for vengeance and justice, the psalmist cries out to God. He laments the endless oppression of the wicked and their boastings. They feel they are untouchable and no one can hold them to justice. They do not even have any reverence for God as they despise and mock Him. But the psalmist believes God is righteous and just, and will certainly avenge the poor. The psalmist provides us with a model to follow in responding to the different forms of oppression and injustice that believers face in the world today.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Monday 27 November 2023 – Faith Conquers
Many believers are being oppressed in their places of work. They are denied their rights, promotion and other benefits just because they will not dance to the tune of the ungodly demands of their bosses. In situations like these, the best thing to do is to cry out to God. God is the final Judge and He only is to be looked up to for vengeance and justice.
It is therefore inconsistent with the New Testament spirit for the Christian to be involved in destructive protests or other forms of civil disobedience in his demand for justice. A Christian does not become bitter nor desires personal revenge. Whilst he prays, he also does not wish his persecutor evil.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Look up to God alone for vengeance.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 1-2
