I just finished my post about Psalm ten and in a flash it was erased! I'm sitting here with my face in my hands crying. You see, when I write, it is like pouring my soul out onto a page and right now I feel devastated and robbed! I'm going to pull myself together and start again because the theme was about not letting your feelings trump the truth and I have to take my own medicine right now. Lord, give me grace to write your words.
Psalm ten begins with a cry from the heart, "Why, Oh Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" The psalmist is distraught in heart and mind and his thoughts are only focused on the injustices he sees all around him. Everything seems cruel and unfair and he opens his heart and thoughts up as he empties his complaints out before God. A pouring out of the soul, an exercise of decompression...his mind is on overload because he is trying to work it all out in his own might.
Nothing makes me seeth more than injustice! You can feel your gut scream, "Why!" as you wallow in your complaining. It's as if you can see yourself surrounded by it and you are helpless and alone while the enemy closes in. "It's not fair!" "Why are the selfish and evil persons of the world having what appears to be all the power?" I can picture a kind and thoughtful child being bullied by brutes who are wicked and slanderous. Or a man being brow-beaten at work by an insensitive and egotistical boss. I picture a wife or child who fears the man who comes home after work and intimidates and beats them. Life seems so cruel.
Verse 10 says, "His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees." This verse conveys the blind arrogance of the selfish oppressor and the devastation he leaves behind. But in verse 12-13 the oppressed cries out, "Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"? Here is where the oppressed begins to take his eyes off himself and he begins to call on God! Then, in verse 14-15 we see a confidence arise, an epiphany of the truth stir up the reality of God's power and might! The psalmist begins to boldly proclaim the truth that he knew but had covered up with anger and rage, "But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless! Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out!" The victim looses his weak and ineffective voice and empowers himself with God's truth!
The psalm concludes with praise and affirmation to the King of all things! Verses 16-18 read, "The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from His land. You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more." Child of God...you are not unprotected or alone, even though it may feel like it. There is a spiritual battle going on over you day and night for your body, mind and more so for your soul! Claim God's word of victory...the Holy Spirit is in you, the angels are around you and God goes before you! This time of trial will end, and if you let Him, God will make you more than you could have ever dreamed. A proud warrior, although scarred from life's injustices is who you will grow to be! No longer a broken, frightened, angry victim but a victor who will one day walk with his God who also bears the scars of injustice.
Well, I stopped crying before I even finished the first paragraph! I felt the Holy Spirit guiding my hands as I typed the new message. I adored the first thing I wrote! It was poetic and graceful to read but God had another plan. This post is nothing like the first draft that was lost but I know with full assurance that this is the draft that God wants to go out! Someone reading this needs to hear from God and I am honored that He somehow deleted my words and replaced them with His! If this message doesn't seem to apply to you right now then please click on the icon below and email it to someone who it might be appropriate for.
Romans 12:14-21, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (stir his conscience). Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are called to hate evil but not the evil doer. Be obedient to that and God will contend with those who contend with you. (Psalm 35:1)
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