Facing Evil-Psalm 94
| facing_evil-psalm_94.pdf |
“Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, let your glory shine out. Arise and judge the earth; sentence the proud to the penalties they deserve. Lord, how long shall the wicked be allowed to triumph and exalt? Hear their insolence! See their arrogance! How these men of evil boast! See them oppressing your people, O Lord, afflicting those you love. They murder widows, immigrants, and orphans, for “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, he doesn’t care.” (vv.1-4, The Living Bible)
Discuss: What is an example of evil in our day?
Read: Psalm 94. Discuss/Write down your answers to the following questions:
1. What prompts the psalmist to write this psalm? (vv.3, 16)
2. How do you feel when you see people do wicked things and get away with it?
3. What does the psalm writer know to be true about God?
4. How are the wicked described? What is their view of God? Who are they taking advantage of?
5. What’s the true reality about the wicked? About God? (vv.8-11)
6. What actions does God take in vv.12-15?
7. How is the cry in v.16 answered?
8. God allowed the psalmist to face difficulty, even the threat of death. Sometimes people lose their trust in God because He does not completely protect them from difficulties. How has your faith been tested? How could this psalm help you?
9. What picture would you paint from vv.20-23 of the two “teams” described? Whose side are you on?
10. One example of evil in our world today is human trafficking. Consider these facts:
· Approximately 15,000 women and children are trafficked into the US from abroad each year.
· Approximately ¼ of the 1.6 million runaways each year in the US become involved in sex trafficking.
· The average age of entry into prostitution in NYC is 11-14 years old.
· Over 1 million children worldwide enter the sex trade every year.
· There are over 200 million child laborers, some as young as five years old.
· 80 percent of victims are women and girls.
· Over 29 million people are enslaved right now.
· Human trafficking generates $32 billion each year.
· 30 million children have lost their childhood to sexual exploitation.
In the future when you see evil you could easily feel overwhelmed, hopeless or angry. How does this Psalm help? Respond to God in prayer.
Discuss: What is an example of evil in our day?
Read: Psalm 94. Discuss/Write down your answers to the following questions:
1. What prompts the psalmist to write this psalm? (vv.3, 16)
2. How do you feel when you see people do wicked things and get away with it?
3. What does the psalm writer know to be true about God?
4. How are the wicked described? What is their view of God? Who are they taking advantage of?
5. What’s the true reality about the wicked? About God? (vv.8-11)
6. What actions does God take in vv.12-15?
7. How is the cry in v.16 answered?
8. God allowed the psalmist to face difficulty, even the threat of death. Sometimes people lose their trust in God because He does not completely protect them from difficulties. How has your faith been tested? How could this psalm help you?
9. What picture would you paint from vv.20-23 of the two “teams” described? Whose side are you on?
10. One example of evil in our world today is human trafficking. Consider these facts:
· Approximately 15,000 women and children are trafficked into the US from abroad each year.
· Approximately ¼ of the 1.6 million runaways each year in the US become involved in sex trafficking.
· The average age of entry into prostitution in NYC is 11-14 years old.
· Over 1 million children worldwide enter the sex trade every year.
· There are over 200 million child laborers, some as young as five years old.
· 80 percent of victims are women and girls.
· Over 29 million people are enslaved right now.
· Human trafficking generates $32 billion each year.
· 30 million children have lost their childhood to sexual exploitation.
In the future when you see evil you could easily feel overwhelmed, hopeless or angry. How does this Psalm help? Respond to God in prayer.
