I’m not one for hard lessons in my life. I’d rather read about them happening to some other poor sap. But I know the Lord, like all good parents, corrects those he loves, and I’d much rather live under his direction than anyone else’s.
The psalmist writes on this theme, blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, until a pit it dug for the wicked.
Speaking of the wicked, later the psalmist asks the Lord, can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?
Notice the difference. In the first case, wise words from the Lord deliver discipline, which bears relief during troublesome times. Contrast those with words maneuvered by unscrupulous leaders to codify injustice into law and condemn innocent people to death.
Which words to embrace? Whose idea of flourishing to feed our hearts? Far better the words and justice of the Lord, than the twisting of language and ideals by corrupt people out for themselves.
But how do I know which of these dueling views influences me the most? Likely the one I spend the most time with. When I’m in the scriptures, I put myself under teachings from the Lord. As I make this a daily habit, his law seeps deeper into the recesses of my life.
This remains the only way I see to learn the lessons—and enjoy the blessings—the Lord holds for us.
Psalm 94 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022
Photo by Patrick Tomasso
I am one of those hard lessons people. Even as a child I had to learn the hard way.
One thing I have learned from it all is this once I learn it I never go back to again.