INTRODUCTION
Read Psalm 10.
In Psalm 9 we found one answer to finding victory over trials and battles - PRAISE! We also discovered that the battles would not go away, and so it is true with the wickedness in our world. So what can we do when we come down from that mountain of praise into that valley of temptation and wickedness.
David was feeling a little overwhelmed by the wickedness surrounding him, the poverty in his world that he felt helpless to do anything about on his own, and at first it felt like God was a little afar off and maybe didn't even care. So what did David do? Well what did David always do - he PRAYED!
1. He identified the problem - the wickedness of the evil and the helplessness of the oppressed.
2. He acknowledged the omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (all surrounding), compassionate and loving God.
3. He recognized that God was indeed a faithful God who would answer His prayers - in His time.
And guess what - through this prayer, David's faith was renewed! He didn't have to face this world of wickedness and poverty on his own. He may not have had a plan, but GOD DID. And that plan was to bring `JUSTICE' AND `GRACE' through His SON JESUS CHRIST.
Sometimes God may seem far off and we may find praying a little hard to to do. It's easy up on the mountain, but what about when we come down into the valley. If we identify that God truly is what we believe Him to be - faithful, merciful, loving, all powerful, all knowing and ever present, then we will not only be able to pray, but the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
By the end of this Psalm study my hope as you pray with David is that you may too have your hope revitalized - trusting in an eternal King who is our `hope for the helpless'.
1. Is their anything in your life at the moment that may be putting distance between you and God?
WHY ARE YOU SO DISTANT LORD? WHY HAVE YOU HID YOURSELF?
Read Psalm 10:1; Jeremiah 14:10-12
Why does God sometimes seem so far off? Why does he not always feel close in times of trouble?
This is a question that every Pastor has been asked to speak about because it something everyone has experienced. It is comforting to know that people like David and Jeremiah too, felt this way. One of the answers we are often given is that God has not moved, we have.
David and Jeremiah, like we often do, were looking around at the unrest around them, because of the wickedness. God even said to Jeremiah:"Don't pray for the good of these people". (Jeremiah 4:11). It seemed to Jeremiah, as it had to David many years before, that indeed, God had stopped listening. But we need to look at this in the context of GOD'S GREAT PLAN.
For in His plan of repentance and restoration, God's people first needed to see their need for salvation. In the days of David and Jeremiah they had their prophecies and promises:
"In those days and in that time, I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David. He will do what is fair and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called, `The Lord is our Righteousness'. David will forever have a descendent sitting on the throne of Righteousness'. Jeremiah 33:14-16
We now know that `Righteous Branch' to be our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,but there are still those who will not accept Him. God is awaiting for them to come to Him in repentance, and as Peter reminds us, meanwhile, we are to pray and wait for the Lord's return.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9
Until then, because there are those who afar off and there may even be days when we may feel distant ourselves, we may like David ask ourselves at times:
"Why are you so distant Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" Psalm 10:1
2. Do you know anyone who is slow in coming to repentance? Take time to pray for them now, and remember not to give up, for God will keep his promise for them.
* The New Matthew Henry Commentary, Edited by Martin H Manser
* Holy Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Tyndale Publishers
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