Day 130 – Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75

Talking Points

• God Himself is the righteous Judge. He is not swayed or influenced by evil or wickedness. He is completely impartial. The LORD knows all, even the hearts and motivations of men, so He is the perfect Judge.
• A fool denies the existence of God. The word fool means “senseless or stupid.” It is different from ignorant, which means lacking in knowledge. A fool denies the knowledge they have. They deny the Truth they have. Truly, a foolish or stupid response.
• God makes the distinction: People who are not totally given to God hate His discipline. They disregard His Word, setting it aside. They are willing, even eager to associate with those who live in rebellion against God. They lie, slander, and cause division, using their mouths like the lost world around them. And, yet, they want to claim God’s name and participate in His blessings. Can God reward such duplicity? God says He doesn’t want their worship. What He really wants is people who love Truth, are faithful, and are obedient in honor of Him. He wants hearts that are totally given to Him.
• God allows and even causes times of hardship as a form of His righteous judgment. It is a reoccurring truth: God punishes sin.
• Reflecting God’s desire for His followers, we read that God has disdain for the boastful, but is pleased with the humble. Self-promotion doesn’t fit with the heart of a believer.

Thoughts

How do we truly feel about discipline? Do we consider it loving? When God convicts us, corrects us, or chastises us, do we offer Him a sacrifice of praise for His loving discipline of us? Do we thank Him for turning our heads and our hearts back toward Him, remembering that He is trustworthy, wise, and kind? Are we conscious and grateful for the grace and mercy He shows us as He patiently steers our paths back to walk with Him? Would we ever ask for it? How do we truly feel about discipline?

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
            Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”
Proverbs 3:11-12