Psalm 10


Why?

Why does God seem to just let bad things happen to good people?  Why do immoral and corrupt people seem to constantly prosper?  How is that people can defy God without consequence?  How can whole nations be ruled by murderers?  Whole societies be founded on injustice and oppression? 

Sigh.

Have you ever felt like that?  Ever had similar questions rolling around in your heart and mind?  If you have, there’s nothing new about those thoughts.  There may be new oppressors over the world, but the question of, “Why?” has echoed in the hearts of God’s people for a long, long, time.

As I read Psalm 10 this morning I thought, “This could have been written yesterday!”  Wickedness, repression of the poor, greed, arrogance, pride, and a general disregard for God are common today.  (Truth be told, they’ve been common in every generation!)  And in this world we can very quickly find ourselves wrestling with the question, “Where is God?” or, as the psalmists asks, “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” 

We might try to explain the situation away and try to justify what looks like God’s inaction.  We sometimes take the path of theodicy (see the devotion on Psalm 5), which can quickly put us in a position where we become God’s protector instead of He being ours.  We might also come to the conclusion that God does not care; that He is far off.  Or perhaps we might determine that God cannot help us, or will not help us until we help ourselves.  All of which are wrong. 

So what do we do when we feel that tension of confusion as we see a world that is not as it should be?  What do we do when we wonder, “Where are You, God?” 

We turn to God’s promises and we pray, just as the psalmist does. 

“Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”  He remembers God’s promises to protect His people; to defend the widow and the orphan.  He recalls God’s promises to hear our prayers and answer them.  He brings to mind God’s Word to fight on behalf of His Children.  And then he prays, “Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.” 

That probably rings harsh in our ears.  Break his arm?  We normally think of God as gentle and loving.  Yet God’s ultimate act of grace and mercy on us was a terrible act of violence upon His Son.  He was broken for our sins, and punished for our wickedness, greed, disregard for the poor, and the like.  Even when the wicked repent, God takes them and kills them; He drowns them in the waters of baptism and a new person comes to life.  It was the same for us; in our sin we were baptized into Jesus’ death.  We died, and then received a new life.  It is a violent grace that saves us; a matter of death and life. 

The LORD hears.  He knows.  He will strengthen your heart to trust Him, even when … especially when … it’s hard to put your faith in Him. 

O God, do Your work of breaking and calling to account.  Bring Your judgment upon this world.  Yet as you do so, help us and many others to take refuge in Jesus, who was broken to save us.  Amen. 

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