READ Psalm 94:11–15. 11 The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. 12 Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law; 13 you grant them 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.
BLESSED DISCIPLINE. If all our inward thoughts on Monday were somehow put out on the Internet on Tuesday, we would lose all our friends. We think we can hide our self-indulgent, cruel, envious, lustful thoughts, but God sees (verse 11). That is why wise believers actually rejoice in discipline, the kind of trouble that drives them to God’s law and Word (verse 12). Through this they get “relief” (verse 13), a word that means “inward quietness in face of outward troubles.”90 While God may test and refine us, he won’t abandon us (verse 14) despite our sin. Why not? It is because God passed sentence on evil and then suffered the punishment himself in Jesus. Thus we can know “he will never forsake his inheritance” (verse 14).
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that you know all my thoughts. During the day let me live—and think—before your face. Let me practice your presence all day. Then I will not give in to foolish lines of inner self-talk that only darken my heart. Change my futile thoughts, O Lord. Amen.