Psalm 94

• Section one is v1-7 – the Result of sin
• Section two is v8-15 – the Realisation of sin and its Ramification upon each of us.
• Section three is v16-23 – the Remaking, the Recognition of the Saviour and the Receipt of hope.

Psalm 94 evokes scenes of Calvary – 3 men all drawing their final breaths – under judgement. Two are hardened criminals. They spent their lives causing havoc and distress to others . They were losing their lives as a result of what they had done. Judgement was due, it was nigh and it was being served upon them (v23).

But what of the man in the middle? He isn’t a hardened criminal. Just a traveller who went around doing good and helping others. His only crime was who he claimed to be. Yet he must also suffer judgement (v21).

Turn your thoughts back to the thieves. Yes you expect them to rail and swear as they suffer their fate, but their aim is off. They are railing against the other man. The One suffering like them. Why is this? Was it just because in saying he was God, he made himself superior to them?
Rail against the authorities by all means but also realise your own responsibility can’t you? One of the two won’t and continues his rant but the other retracts, has a change of heart realises his guilt, realises his fate and accepts The other for who He was.

His reward – a promise from heaven. As faith took hold, imagine his relief. Remember his death was not instant. First the darkness. The two criminals would have undergone the darkness. Both appear now passive but for one the scene is a picture of helpless misery. The other now though has hope on his side. Meanwhile The One in the middle is busy paying the price for both their sins. Stunning stuff.

The Lord ordered His own spirit to depart. The other guy had to suffer one more agony as they broke his legs and he slowly succumbed. Now read this psalm through and picture those thoughts and scene in your mind. See yourself as the criminal who repented. I did it’s very satisfying.