day 62: Psalm 10- The LORD Hears!

Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”


5 His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 8 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.


10 The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. 11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. 13 Why does the wicked renounce God  and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.
 
16 The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. 17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,  so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
 
 Meditation
Distance can be discouraging. Children ask on car trips, “Are we there yet? How much longer?” Pilgrims on a journey of faith in a fallen world join the Psalmist asking, “Why do you stand far away, oh Lord? Are you hiding…?” (1)
 
When feelings of life in a fallen world overwhelm our faith then our circumstances can send us into a downward spiral. The wicked prosper as they disregard human dignity, rejecting the existence of God. With pride of heart they destroy the weak, children, and the helpless. (2-10)
 
The Lord hears the cry of His people- He is near. We are not helpless and when we cry out the Lord strengthens our hearts. (17) The wicked renounce God from their heart (13) and those without faith, who deem themselves helpless, believe in their hearts God has forgotten them (11). But God is with His people and to believe is to cry out in a voice of faith.
 
Our Lord is King forever and He does justice for the fatherless, the oppressed, and for all who cry out to Him. He will cease the wicked and make them to strike “terror no more!” (18)
 
Wherever you are, God is not far. You may not see or feel Him but He is present.  The Psalmist begins with a question of distance but arrives to a sanctuary of security in the Lord and His character. The invitation of God’s word is to join him on the journey.
 
Dwelling Richly
-Where are you overwhelmed by your circumstances? Do you feel as if the wicked, or bad guys win? What does it look like for you to cry out to the Lord?
 
-Which heart position do you identify with in the passage? The wicked who renounce God from their heart, the helpless who do not believe God cares and has forgotten them, or the righteous who cry out in faith and have their heart strengthened?
 
-How is your day different if you begin by journeying with the Psalmist and arrive in the sanctuary of security, knowing God is king and rules over your enemies and uncertainties and that He will work justice?
 
Key Verse
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.