Combating Fear With Faith
We live in a world full of sin. The poor are oppressed, the innocent are mistreated, the vulnerable are taken advantage of, and people steal and even kill without consequence.
There is celebration of wickedness. What can believers do when anxious thoughts multiply within them? What about when they are afraid for the future, afraid for their families, even afraid for their lives? Psalm 94 gives us the answer.
The psalmist begins by calling on the Judge of the Earth to act and bring justice to an unjust world (1-2). The ungodly act in sinfully toward others (3-6). Then they assume that God does not care because He does not act (7). He psalmist knows that only God can bring justice and avenge the wrongdoings he sees around him. He warns the ungodly to fear YHWH, for He is not lacking in power, knowing their very thoughts (8-11). Brethren, trust in God’s judgement to come. God is patient right now (2 Pet 2:9), but Christ will bring retributive justice on the wicked when He returns to this earth.
The Psalmist continues by assuring his hearers that God will not abandon or forsake His people (12-16). The peace believers have is based on their covenant relationship with Him (12). God is faithful to His promises to His people (14). The psalmist reminds believers that God helps them in troubles and forgives them of their sin (17-18). When anxious thoughts about the present and future fill their minds, God consoles them through His word, bringing back joy to their hearts (18).
The psalmist closes this psalm with two reminders: God is the believer's refuge against the ungodly (19-22), and the wicked cannot escape His righteous judgement (22). Brethren, in times of anxious trouble turn to your rock and trust in Him.