Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalm 10 – 5-7-20
If you have been the afflicted and abused by the evil of this world; if you have felt as if those who are hurting you are getting away with it and no one cares; if you feel as if God has forgotten you and no longer hears your cries and prayers. This Psalm is for you. Psalms 10:1 Why dost Thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why dost Thou hide {thyself} in times of trouble?(NAS) I have been there, and we may feel like we are there right now.
From verses 2-13 we are told of the ways of the wicked, their mocking of God and their saying, “there is no God”. They take advantage of the hurting, afflicted, poor and needy, orphans, widows, all those who are down and out. Psalms 10:11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”(NAS) The wicked thinks that God is never going to catch them or punish them.
However, we know that God sees all of it. He never slumbers or sleeps. He hears the cries and prayers of the oppressed and downtrodden. I so look forward to the day when the Lord sets things right. I pray that the Lord would return and change this wicked world until there is no more sin, hate, war, sorrow or pain. The cry of verse 15 is that God would “break the arm of the wicked” and get rid of all wickedness.
Then comes these precious words of faith and hope: Psalms 10:17-18, 17 O LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt strengthen their heart, Thou wilt incline Thine ear 18 To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may cause terror no more.(NAS) Never forget that the Lord hears the prayers of the humble and He will strengthen your heart as you wait for His vindication. There is a worship chorus that I would like you to sing in your heart right now: “In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord please show me every day as You’re teaching me Your way, that You do just what You say in Your time.” May I never lose faith and hope that the Lord will hear and strengthen us in our time of deepest pain. May I always trust that His way and time are best!
Father, thank You for Your mercy that withholds judgment so that Your grace and love can shine through and bring redemption to my sinful heart. Many times I think I know best and wonder why You don’t make things right according to my way and timing. But I need to remind myself that You have eternal plans. You are not slow concerning Your promises, but You are not wanting anyone to perish and Your will is that all would repent and turn to You. (2 Peter 3:9) Help me to trust in Your way and timing. I look forward to the day when the Lord returns and sets everything right. May I be about Your business and calling to share Your truth and love until You come or call me home. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob